Qld man found by police runs toward river

Officers were on the look out for looters as part of operation Uniform Nash after reports of a man acting suspiciously at Macquarie Street, St Lucia at about 4am.

"Patrolling police located the man who subsequently ran from police in the direction of the Brisbane River," a police statement said.

It became a land and water search by Tuesday afternoon with police still trying to identify the man.

Police said the man has a large build, is Caucasian in appearance and was wearing long pants and a singlet.

Anyone in the Macquarie Street area who saw the man has been urged to contact police.