http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/19/1032054905982.html

Poo on shoe puts robber in prison

September 20 2002





A clump of dog poo on a shoe has tripped up an armed robber who didn't watch his step on his way to hold up a Gold Coast TAB.

While 26-year-old Jacob Michael Smith hid his face during the armed robbery by wrapping a sheet around his head, he neglected to wipe a piece of dog poo off his shoe which formed an unfortunate pattern that would lead to his arrest.

The poo shape was noticed on a photo taken by a security camera and was enhanced by police scientific officer Sergeant Alan Piper.

"It's not rocket science. It's as plain as poo on your shoe," Sgt Piper said today.

"It could have been one of a thousand or ten thousand shoes, but because that poo was there it was creating a great big feature that allowed us to go to a positive identification."

The investigation also revealed Smith had probably stepped in several clumps of dog excrement before the robbery.

"I'd say there has been some more poo on the shoe but it has worn away," said Sgt Piper, who admitted also having to do a smell test.

"It's not chewing gum or road tar, it was dog poo."

The robbery happened on March 26, 2000.

An off-duty detective driving by the TAB also smelled something unpleasant prior to the hold-up and noted the number plate of the getaway vehicle which eventually led police to Smith and the shoe.

Of the 70 frames of security film taken during the hold-up, just one showed the poo pattern.

"It's the first time I've ever acquired a pattern left by dog poo," said the veteran scientific officer.

"I guess he should have watched his step."

In June this year, Smith was sentenced to 10 years and ten months in prison on charges of robbery with circumstances of aggravation, being armed and in company, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle with circumstances of aggravation.

AAP