How browned off Brisbane residents caught the 'poo jogger'

Brisbane's 'poo jogger' was caught defecating on a pathway at a Greenslopes apartment complex on Logan Rd.

Brisbane's "poo jogger" has resigned from his national role at a retirement company amid a storm of controversy that has sparked extraordinary worldwide interest.

Andrew Douglas Macintosh, 64, was revealed to be the jogger caught defecating on a pathway at a Greenslopes apartment complex on Logan Rd after he was photographed in a local sting that was part of a widening phenomenon of everyday people using technology to solve crimes, The Courier-Mail reports.

Within hours of the story's publication in The Courier-Mail on Thursday, Macintosh had resigned from his national role at retirement village giant Aveo.

He had been charged with public nuisance — relating to just one incident — but that will now be dropped from court after he elected to pay a $378 fine that carries no ­conviction.

While police had charged Macintosh, it was browned-off Greenslopes residents who successfully flushed out the culprit.

Cyber investigator Simon Smith said amateur sleuthing was a growing trend thanks to advances in technology and plummeting prices.

"The average person is a little bit more savvy and they kind of investigate things themselves," he said.

"It's actually getting justice for a lot of people. From a crime perspective, it has helped.

"If you see an incident it's well worth recording it because there are situations where the truth is not always said in court."

That was exactly what Greenslopes resident Steve was thinking when he teamed up with a neighbour to catch the poo jogger.

After "wildly guessing" at the timing of the dirty deeds the duo bought a wireless night-vision camera with motion sensors designed to capture elusive wildlife.

The technology would have cost thousands of dollars a decade ago, but can now be sourced for less than $200 ­online.

The blurry images gave them a timeline.

The dawn detectives then hopped in their cars and parked at various locations around Greenslopes to keep tabs on the runner.

"To start with, it was trying to ID him so we'd go for a little drive then park, did he run past? Where did he go?" Steve explained.

"Through a process of elimination we figured out the route where he was running and we narrowed it down to where he lived."

Less than a kilometre away, it would turn out.

"It was just now about getting a good photo," Steve said.

"I said to my neighbour 'don't approach the police yet, let me get a clear photo so when you go to them it's all laid out for them'."

After six days of waiting for that Kodak moment, Steve snapped off a shot, which has now been seen by millions of eyes worldwide.

Caught in the act.

"It's got pretty crazy," Steve said about reaction to the story.

He said it was "disappointing" to hear Macintosh had left his job, but his behaviour had been "not pleasant at all".

"If it was once or twice I would just kind of shrug it off … but it was just so blatant and regular," he said.

The Brisbane City Council said Macintosh had resigned from its Inclusive Brisbane Board, which advises on planning and infrastructure.

In a statement, Aveo said it only became aware of the issue on Wednesday.

"Aveo Group is distressed and disappointed at the alleged incidents concerning Mr Macintosh," it said.

"He has tendered his resignation to the company today and is no longer an employee of Aveo Group.

"Aveo will continue to extend its support to Mr Macintosh for help that he may require."