Every year, tens of thousands of robberies and heists are committed around the globe in front of live witnesses. The very same witnesses who could identify the thieves in a court of law. Many of these criminals never get caught. How do they get away with it? It's easy, they conceal their identity. The most common method is the simple stocking over the head. Home burglars and bank robbers alike have been covering their head with nylon stocking for decades. It masks their facial features effectively and the stockings are easily discarded once the crime has been committed. The ski mask is another popular method of identity concealment. A simple ski mask is another effective method of hiding a face from witnesses and ultimately law enforcement, the judge, and the jury. It is not quite as easily discarded like a nylon stocking, but a popular disquise nonetheless. These coverups are mainstream in the criminal underworld, but if you watch the local news long enough, you're bound to see something a bit more off-kilter. Burglars have been seen with bags over their heads, sweaters wrapped around their face, and even masking tape stuck to their skin. The ultimate eye catcher, however, is the thief in costume.

Halloween costumes have been used in various crimes for many years. Today, we are fortunate enough to see some of these perpetrators for ourselves thanks to security cameras recording the action as it takes place. Some costumes can invoke fear in the victims. Other costumes can be quite humorous even when the crime is not. The examples of costumes used for crime are countless. In Montreal Canada, bank robbers used skeleton Halloween costumes to steal bags of cash. In Nashville, Tennessee a robber dressed as a leprachaun unsuccessfully tried to rob a bank. Then there was the clown with a red nose and fake teeth who tried to rob a bank in Rockville, Maryland. Then there was the young man, who dressed as an old man, during a gas station robbery in Naples, Florida. But it doesn't get any better than a man in a banana costume being arrested for multiple crimes not relating to an actual burglary. In Brooklyn, New York and Avatar costume was used in a bank robbery. This suspect actually spoke the Avatar language to go with his costume.

The criminal mind works in mysterious ways. It seems as though the ski mask or nylon stocking would be a better option for those wishing to hide their identity, yet Halloween costumes continue to appear in crimes around the world.

About the Author:
Chet is the webmaster of Costumes Gone Viral. Users can view and submit custom Halloween costumes in the gallery.