So, you know the economy is bad when

[Dai. 7]

Stupid crooks can't afford pantyhose or a ski mask

Two hapless robbers in America, Matthew McNelly and Joey Miller, have been arrested with the “worst disguises ever” after trying to hide their faces with permanent marker pen.

By Andrew Hough

Published: 9:25AM GMT 30 Oct 2009

Matthew Allan McNelly and Joey Lee Miller were caught in Iowa with permanent marker pen scrawled over their faces. Photo: AP

McNelly, 23, and Miller, 20 were arrested by armed police in Carroll, Iowa, last Friday after witnesses reported seeing two men trying to break into an apartment with fake beards and "masks" scrawled on their faces.

Police responding to a call about the attempted burglary later pulled over a car matching the alleged suspects' vehicle.

When they stopped their 1994 Buick Roadmaster, bewildered police discovered the drunk hapless pair – nicknamed “dumb and dumber” – complete with makeshift disguises.

Police issued-mugshots of the pair show the black ink scribbles on their faces, in what some commentators described as “the worst disguise ever”.

"We're very skilled investigators and the black faces gave them right away,” local police chief Jeff Cayler told CNN.

"I have to assume the officers were kind of laughing at the time.

“I've never heard of colouring your face with a permanent marker."

He added: "They probably were just not thinking straight and figured we'll go out and scare the guy or whatever.

“[They were] being dumb and combine that with alcohol and it was the perfect storm.

"I've been chief here almost 25 years, been with the department 28½ years and I've seen a lot of things that make me laugh and weird things but this was probably the best combination of the two - strangely weird and hilariously funny all at the same time.”

He had earlier told Radio Iowa: “It's a little weird.

"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."

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.

McNelly and Miller were each later charged with attempted second-degree burglary and released on bail after appearing at Carroll County Magistrate Court on Monday.

McNelly was also charged with drunk driving.

Lawyers for the pair declined to comment.

The pair are due back in court next month.

[Mary Lou 681]

Nice black marker

[one...two...tree 2,762]

[redglasses 1]

You are kidding!

[alienlovechild 75]

[They were] being dumb and combine that with alcohol and it was the perfect storm.

"I've been chief here almost 25 years, been with the department 28½ years and I've seen a lot of things that make me laugh and weird things but this was probably the best combination of the two - strangely weird and hilariously funny all at the same time.”

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.

McNelly was also charged with drunk driving.

Getting your criminal inspiration from a bottle just doesn't work. They probably inhaled marker fumes, too.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

haha what retards!