(CNN) -- Police say guilt was written all over their faces.
Police received a call Friday night that two men with hooded sweatshirts and painted faces had tried to break into a man's home in Carroll, Iowa.
When police stopped a vehicle matching the caller's description blocks away, they were stunned by the men's disguises.
There were no ski masks or stockings pulled over their heads; instead, Matthew Allan McNelly, 23, and Joey Lee Miller, 20, streaked their faces with permanent black marker.
Carroll Police Chief Cayler told CNN the strange disguises made it easier for his officers.
"We're very skilled investigators and the black faces gave them right away," Cayler said jokingly. "I have to assume the officers were kind of laughing at the time. I've never heard of coloring your face with a permanent marker."
Cayler said police believe one of the alleged burglars targeted the home because he suspected his girlfriend had a relationship with the man who lived there.
"They probably were just not thinking straight and figured we'll go out and scare the guy or whatever," Cayler said. "[They were] being dumb and combine that with alcohol and it was the perfect storm."
Both men were charged with attempted burglary, and McNelly was charged additionally with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Lawyers for the two men could not be reached for comment.
Cayler said he's been fielding calls about the case from news media outlets from all over the country -- mostly because of their funny-looking mug shots.
"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."
Don't have a Ski Mask?, Just use Permanent Marker!
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Some people are just too dumb to be allowed to walk the street. But I sorta feel sorry for them; they'll do time, and that story is NOT going to place them very high in the prison pecking order.
NPS Ranger said:
It very well could be, however at "02:09" I tend not to have my all my "N's" in a row :lol:
RMBROWN said:
I'd prefer you not use the R-Word, even if it may seem appropriate as a descriptive to how idiotic these guys are.
that reminds of a quote from a tv show or movie i saw one... dont remeber what it was though.
"He's not a retard, STUPID! He's Mentally Challenged."
"He's not a retard, STUPID! He's Mentally Challenged."
KD8GPM said:
So I guess saying that they went "full retard" is out of the question? They should've known that you never go full retard.
Sorry
Stendec said:So I guess saying that they went "full retard" is out of the question? They should've known that you never go full retard.
Sorry
The reason I politely ask for people not to use the R-Word is that I have a family member that is mentally and physically handicapped by a disease known as Rett Syndrome.
And the fact that there are other words that can be used to describe someone, other then the r-word.
But please don't let me stop you from using your right of freedom of speech.
Stendec said:So I guess saying that they went "full retard" is out of the question? They should've known that you never go full retard.
Sorry
Tropic Thunder Quote.
i Know most of your "military" based quotes. :lol:
He is mentally and physically handicapped- not a retard. Don't associate the word retard with your family member. Retard means to cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede. Clearly these to idiots had brains that weren't up to par.
I have a special needs child- and have NEVER been upset by the word RETARD. I typically am smart enough to know in what context the word is being used.
Mike
mfaith91 said:
I am in no means upset that the r-word was used. I was just politely asking that it not be.