'Serial pooper' wanted after targeting playground

ARLINGTON, VA -- A stinky situation at a popular park has a community down in the dumps.

An unusual and unsanitary vandal has been polluting the Ft. Barnard Park in South Arlington, Virginia. Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation said human feces has been found about four to five times in the last few months.

"It was inside the little stall over there," said Meghan Collins, as she pointed to the playground equipment where she found a pile of human waste hidden where her two-year-old son Duke plays. "Nobody would want your kids to have to deal with that on a playground."

Officials said the person responsible is hiding the excrement under a shirt or piece of clothing, and when a child or parent picks it up they get a nasty surprise.

"To defecate outside is one thing, but then in a kids' park where kids can easily fall into it, that really shocks me," said Rashon Rogers, who was at the park playing with his son, Liam.

The culprit has been tough to sniff out.

Officials with Parks and Recreation believe it's happening after hours in the dark. WJLA reports that each time it's reported, workers have cleaned it up and disinfected the area.

Now, Arlington County Police are stepping up patrols. If caught, the person could be charged with a misdemeanor because urinating and defecating in public is prohibited, said police.