An Atlanta man's quick-witted plan to get his stolen motorcycle back led to the arrest of a suspected thief, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The incident unfolded when the victim saw the very same Kawasaki 450 bike, which was swiped from him during a test drive, up for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

The owner initially met with the buyer last Sunday in what seemed like a routine sale in a Lake City business parking lot. However, the buyer, later identified as 23-year-old Trevon Jameal Bonner, took the bike for a spin and became a ghost, authorities said. Within hours of the theft, the scooter popped up in a new listing – where it was tagged for $5,000.

Playing the sleuth, the victim orchestrated a sting operation by arranging another meet-up masquerading as an interested buyer, this time inviting the local law enforcement to crash the party. As Bonner appeared at the Rosel Fann Recreation Center to make the sale, he was apprehended by Fulton County deputies without incident, as detailed by an interview with Sgt. Patrick Roach of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.

"It was great, right place, right time…we were able to respond quickly," Roach recalled. Deputies confirmed the vehicle identification number matched the stolen bike's details. Bonner, who now faces a charge of theft by receiving, was revealed to have outstanding warrants for larceny in Henry County.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the importance of vigilance during online transactions. "Online scams can unfortunately be quite common. It is crucial for Fulton County citizens to remain vigilant and cautious when buying or selling items online," Sheriff Pat Labat stated in a declaration obtained by Atlanta News First. For safer exchange locations, the sheriff's office suggests populated areas, such as police precincts or courthouses, to conduct transactions.