Caught in the act: Police seek man who pooped on cars

AKRON, Ohio — Officials are seeking to identify a man believed to have defecated on multiple cars and children's front yard toys in an Akron neighborhood over the last three years.

Early Tuesday, a resident who asked not to be identified set up a time-lapse camera, capturing the vandal in the middle of the act.

"This guy defecated on our vehicle eight times since last fall," the resident said.

The sleuth photographer said between his house and those on his block, the suspect has struck at least 20 times. The vast majority of cases were never reported to police.

"My mother-in-law walked out of our house one day, and the kids' front yard slide had to be sanitized," says neighbor Rob Brunson.

"People up and down our streets here in the Castle Homes neighborhood were playing the blame game," he said.

Until recently, everyone who was a victim thought they were the only ones being targeted.

A small calculation among neighbors estimates the man has struck 100 times but likely more.

"I was questioning my son: Who do you have mad at you? People were pointing fingers all over the place," said the photographer.

So he set up a time-lapse camera overnight Monday, and when he woke up — one of those 2,000 images snagged the suspect.

"I got a good shot," he said. "This guy needs help. That's my message to him: Get help."

"The photo shows this guy bent over on the hood, pants to ankles defecating on the car," says Akron police Lt. Rick Edwards. "We need to know who this person is."

The individual will likely face criminal mischief charges.