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Randy Cassingham

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bullet  A Clever Disguise...?

Once again, a picture is worth a thousand words. But I'm not sure that in this case, two pictures are worth two thousand words!

First, the story, from True's 29 November 2009 issue:

Clever Disguise

Police in Carroll, Iowa, got a "hot" call -- two men were trying to break into an apartment. Responding officers saw a vehicle matching the getaway car's description leaving the scene and stopped it. They were pretty sure they had their men: witnesses said the burglars had blacked-out faces, and sure enough the occupants of the car did. But rather than use facepaint, Matthew Allan McNelly, 23, and Joey Lee Miller, 20, had used permanent markers to blacken their faces. Both were arrested on burglary charges, and McNelly was charged with driving while intoxicated. (Carroll Daily Times Herald) ...No fair! That was from the fumes!

And the photos? That's right: their mug shots.

Two Photos, Dubious if Worth 2,000 Words
Matthew McNelly's mug shotJoey Miller's mug shot
Marked Men: Apparently they thought permanent markers would make a good disguise. Instead, it made identification really easy. McNelly is on the left, Miller is on the right. (Photos: Carroll Police Dept.)

Can you say "Freakingly stupid morons"? I knew you could.

And hey, what's McNelly supposed to be? Batman?!!? Does that make Miller the Boy-I-Wonder-About?

16 Comments on This Entry

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Posted by cathie, madison, wi on December 4, 2009:

It is scary that they were so stupid they thought permanent marker would be a good disguise. Even 5 year olds know that PERMANENT marker doesn't come off easily; that's why it's called permanent!

Posted by Ray, Houston, B.C. Canada on December 5, 2009:

It is painfully obvious that NEITHER of these nutballs looked into a mirror BEFORE they went on their little expedition! If that is what they believe to be a disguise, I'm am surprised either knows how to even drive a vehicle.

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They probably did do it in a mirror! And they at least looked at each other as they set out! Scary, isn't it?! -rc

Posted by Lenny Fl. on December 5, 2009:

These poor guys should get a very special award. They get it the day after, when they look in the mirror. They probably had that famous "oh s--t" moments. Then they realized they could have their pictures on the WWW.

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Having their pictures on the web sure beats having them on Post Office walls. -rc

Posted by Don, Las Vegas on December 5, 2009:

I thought you had seen it all (and shared it with us)! These two are by far the stupidest morons I have ever had the displeasure to see a picture of. I am embarrassed to be of the same race: human.

Posted by Volker, Lauf, Germany on December 5, 2009:

You really made my day. Those two are so incredibly stupid it hurts.

Reminds me of the one day when a colleague (I work as system admin at the police HQ) told me they arrested a girl whose boyfriend was wanted. When they were interrogating her, her cell phone went off - it was him. The police officer got on the phone and told him that they had his girlfriend, and he could even come himself, for they would surely get him soon.
And who came some minutes later? This guy!

Sometimes you have to have luck and an easy work...

Posted by Mary Lou, Canada on December 5, 2009:

Not sure it would be much of an addition to their punishment, but at least they have to look like that until the marker wears off. Who said everybody should drink to excess?

Posted by Don in Rochester MN on December 5, 2009:

Batman? Or Gene Simmons of KISS? Anyway, FAIL was the first word I thought of....

Posted by Willard/Gulfport, FL on December 5, 2009:

Neither one of these dudes is very Sharpie.

Posted by Bob, Parker CO on December 5, 2009:

They give truth to the slander -- IOWA = "Idiots Out Wandering Around".

Posted by Mike from Dallas on December 5, 2009:

Aw, don't be so hard on them. They took a cue from established leaders in the industry; Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, Martin & Lewis, Tom & Dick Smothers, Agnew & Nixon, Bob & Tom McKenzie, Dumb & Dumber, Harold & Kumar....

Posted by Michael - Louisville, KY on December 7, 2009:

I thank God daily that I made the career choice of Law Enforcement. With the likes of these two I will be able to make it to retirement.

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Like me, I don't think you'll ever have to worry about not having enough work.... -rc

Posted by Kausik, Baltimore, MD on December 9, 2009:

It's not Batman he was trying to pose as, Randy... Anyone remember The Him from the Cannonball Runs?

Posted by Doug, Buffalo NY on December 13, 2009:

I blame the economy. It's gotten so bad that robbers can't afford masks anymore!

Posted by Christa, Tulsa, OK on March 12, 2010:

Is there such a thing as a negative IQ?

Posted by Katz, Ohio on June 10, 2010:

Not exactly 'Sharpies' are they?

Posted by eileen in san jose, ca on October 24, 2010:

How nice of these two to supply their mates in jail with a source of amusement!

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