A man is still missing after jumping into the Brisbane River to escape officers amid a Queensland Police crackdown on "disgusting" looters in the flood-hit city.
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Deputy Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy has assured southeast Queenslanders devastated by floods their properties are safe, saying officers will continue anti-looting patrols that sparked an extensive search in the city's west on Tuesday.
Police are still looking for a suspected looter more than a day after he was last seen running toward the Brisbane River when he was approached by officers.
The man was acting suspiciously and police believe he jumped into the river at Macquarie Street, St Lucia, about 3.45am on Tuesday.
Swift water rescue crews and an extensive search along the riverbank have been unable to locate the man, who was wearing long pants and a singlet, has a large build and is Caucasian.
"We did quite an extensive search for a person that we believe entered the river yesterday morning who has not been located ... those investigations are still ongoing," Mr Chelepy said.
A special taskforce called Uniform Nash - made up of about 80 to 100 officers - has been patrolling flood-hit areas in the state's southeast, as some residents are unable to return to their homes.
The operation, designed to disrupt and prevent opportunistic theft, has already nabbed 10 people on looting charges.
Mr Chelepy said police were doing everything in their power to ensure flood-hit communities were safe from looters in their time of need.
"Police are continuing their looting patrols," he said.
"We have seen some disgusting behaviour from Queenslanders during this event, going around looting people's houses during their absolute time of need.
"I can assure the communities who have had to leave their houses that we are there to support you and protect you ... (and) we are doing everything we can to make sure you and your property is safe in your time of need."
Mr Chelepy said suspicious behaviour should be reported to police on 131 444.
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll on Wednesday said people found guilty of stealing by looting in a natural disaster faced up to 10 years in prison - double the sentence for common burglary.
"It's viewed very differently, a lot more seriously, if people are doing this during a time of disaster," she told ABC Radio
Australian Associated Press
