A Facebook Marketplace meetup in downtown Miami turned sideways on Sunday afternoon when a supposed buyer grabbed a $4,000 Sony video camera and then slipped into a driverless Waymo, rolling off through traffic while the stunned seller watched from the curb.
Surveillance footage shows the man snatching the camera from the seller, sprinting across North Miami Avenue near Fifth Street and climbing into an empty Waymo that pulls away a moment later. The seller, a content creator who relies on the equipment, says the loss has thrown his business off balance. Miami police are reviewing the video and are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect to come forward as the investigation continues.
According to a GoFundMe, the seller, Aidan Chappell, had planned to sell the Sony camera so he could reinvest in VIZN, his Miami-based creative business. The fundraiser lays out what happened during the meetup and asks the community for help while he works to replace his stolen gear.
The theft, captured clearly on surveillance, took place along North Miami Avenue near Fifth Street, as reported by Local 10. Chappell told the station the buyer calmly tested the camera before suddenly bolting without paying. “It is a big part of my livelihood,” he said, noting that the loss hits more than just his hobby budget.
Waymo getaway is not unique
Using a robotaxi as a quick getaway has shown up in other cities as well. In one San Francisco case, a suspect reportedly hopped into a Waymo after a fast theft, and investigators later said that account data and footage did not identify a suspect, according to TechCrunch.
Coverage from TechSpot notes that by the time investigators secure warrants, interior video from some robotaxis can be unavailable, which adds a frustrating wrinkle to cases that might otherwise look straightforward on paper.
Police urge safer meetups
Miami police say they plan to contact Waymo in an effort to identify the rider who climbed into the vehicle after the grab and run. They are also using the case as a reminder that online marketplace deals can go sideways quickly.
“Go to your local police station,” Miami Police Department spokesperson Officer Mike Vega told Local 10, explaining that the department allows buyers and sellers to complete transactions in its main lobbies to cut down on the risk of theft or worse.
Marketplace meetups have been targeted before
Investigators say the move where a buyer asks to “test” an item before suddenly taking off is a familiar play in Miami, especially in deals involving small, high-value electronics. For more on that trend, including previous arrests and police warnings, see Facebook Marketplace iPhone ripoffs.
Miami police are asking anyone with tips or additional footage from the area around North Miami Avenue and Fifth Street on Sunday afternoon to contact the department as they work to identify the suspect. In the meantime, Chappell’s fundraiser remains active while he tries to recover financially from the loss of the camera that helps pay his bills.
