A practically unidentifiable photo of a person wanted in connection with an attempted robbery in Lincolnshire has been mocked across social media.
The suspect, holding a knife, entered an antiques shop in the market town of Holbeach and threatened staff inside.
After being challenged by workers, the masked man fled towards All Saints church, police said.
When police shared the photo on social media asking for help identifying the wannabe robber, posters chimed in to mock the precious lack of detail on display.
Some commenters suggested the figure might be the grim reaper or a Star Wars character
Lincolnshire Police/Bob Harvey via Geograph
In the photo, the hooded suspect is covered almost head to toe – save a small gap in between his hood and his mask.
Joking at the poor quality photo, some commenters suggested the figure might be “a ninja”, “the invisible man”, Darth Vader, the grim reaper or a video game character which “hasn’t been unlocked”.
Others suggested wacky ways of finding the suspect – one asked if anyone had “x-ray eyes”, while another said “I dunno, let me just get my crystal ball out”.
Certain posters recommended the police use external help, with Inspector Clouseau and Scooby Doo among the proposed mystery-solvers.
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After being challenged by workers, the masked man fled towards All Saints church (right), police said.
Dave Hitchborne via Geograph/Wikimedia Commons
A few lamented the vagueness of the picture itself – one commenter said “it may be easier to ask who it isn’t rather than who it is”, while another said it would “be helpful if he took his mask off”.
One poster said: “Too many masked filters on his face… but it is winter, so can’t blame him for clobbering up in the cold.”
Another, criticising the suspect’s anonymity, saying “it’s like the blind leading the blind looking at that”, while another said “this is the most unhelpful picture ever”.
Though some pointed out distinctive features the suspect was wearing – a “Peter Storm coat”, glasses and “an old pair of Adidas trainers”.One poster called for action, and said: “I like how they always say “help with our enquiries”. There is no querying to be done.
“Find him, charge him, jail him and save time on all that querying nonsense.”
Lincolnshire Police have asked anyone who can help to email DC James Wood on James.Wood@lincs.police.uk.
Alternatively, anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident number 0163 of December 30 2023.
