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California Man Painted Himself Black to Evade Cops — It Didn't Work

Vivid booking photos show the results of the man's clumsy attempt to make himself look darker.
IMAGE: Jose Espinoza
Jose Espinoza in a booking photo.Madera County, California, Department of Corrections

A California man remained in jail Wednesday on charges of auto theft and violating probation, according to court records — which show in vivid booking photos that he'd spray-painted himself black to avoid the cops.

"The camouflage was ineffective," police said.

Jose Espinoza, 23, was held on $35,000 bond after his arrest Saturday in Madera, northeast of Fresno, according to the Madera County Corrections Department.

Jail booking photos confirm what Madera police said in a deadpan Facebook post:

"Last night Jose Espinoza fled from a stolen car. Officers arrested Jose later in the evening after he fled a second time. This time Jose spray painted his face black in an effort to camouflage himself. The camouflage was ineffective."

IMAGE: Jose Espinoza
Jose Espinoza in a booking photo.Madera County, California, Department of Corrections

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