You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
-Lurid Crime Tales-
Robbers caught using 'the worst disguise ever'
2009-10-31
It's been labelled the worst disguise ever - two men arrested over a burglary attempt in the US were found with fake beards and masks scrawled on their faces with a permanent marker.

Police stopped the car of Matthew McNelly, 23, and Joey Miller, 20 after it matched the description of a vehicle used by two men who allegedly tried to break into an Iowa apartment last Friday night. When officers looked inside the 1994 Buick Roadmaster, they were surprised to find the men with masks, beards and moustaches painted on their face in some sort of rudimentary disguise.

"It's a little weird," police chief Jeff Cayler told Radio Iowa. "I've been here long enough that I've seen a lot of things, but this one's a little different compared to most ... I mean, just the face thing is what sets it apart."

Mugshots of the pair show the black ink scribbles on their faces.

A number of US blogs, including the popular Huffington Post, described it as "the worst disguise ever".

The men may have been under the influence of alcohol when they devised the idea for their disguises. "For what it's worth, it appeared they had both been drinking quite a bit and maybe weren't thinking quite rationally," Mr Cayler said. One of the men also believed the owner of the apartment they were trying to rob was dating his girlfriend, he said.

McNelly and Miller were each charged with attempted second-degree burglary and released on bail.
Posted by:Fred

#6  Thats why you drop a pebble in one shoe.....
Posted by: notascrename   2009-10-31 22:05  

#5  A wig or toupe (or baldcap) and beard if properly applied could be convincing from a distance (on camera) or with the shakey memories associated with a crime

There are quite good algorithms now for identifying people from things like their characteristic walk and posture, combined with body size etc.
Posted by: lotp   2009-10-31 16:13  

#4  Frankly, I wonder why disguises aren't used more often. A wig or toupe (or baldcap) and beard if properly applied could be convincing from a distance (on camera) or with the shakey memories associated with a crime. Even if it's clear the person is wearing a disguise at least the witnesses didn't actually see the face so identification has to be harder. Combine that with gloves and other things to prevent fingerprints (they won't check for DNA unless you kill someone or steal the hope diamond or something). I mean every advantage you can get.

Or you could just film the crime and put it on youtube or something. Whatever floats your boat.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2009-10-31 12:07  

#3  I agree that this was probably a prank pulled on drunk kids. Drunk kids that may have robbed a house the week before. I mean if they wanted a disguise, you'd think with Halloween and all, they could have had their pick.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2009-10-31 12:05  

#2  It's not a disguise. They passed out drunk and someone scribbled on their faces with a permanent marker. It's a "prank" quite popular with these kids today.

Just another "media stupid" moment. One of thousands this year alone.
Posted by: gromky   2009-10-31 01:19  

#1  "For what it's worth, it appeared they had both been drinking quite a bit and maybe weren't thinking quite rationally"

No, really?

Hooda thunk it?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2009-10-31 00:07  

00:00