Police in California nabbed an alleged car thief after spotting what they describe as a "beautifully handwritten" attempt to pass an obviously fake license plate off as real.
Angel Rachiene Bolton, 38, was taken into custody by the Benicia Police Department on Friday. According to a post on Facebook, officers saw that car in the early morning hours.
A fake license plate is seen after its driver, Angel Rachiene Bolton, was stopped and arrested for possessing a stolen vehicle (via Benicia (Calif.) Police Department).
"We know we are not superheroes, but just FYI this is NOT a way to get one over on us," the post said. "At about 1 a.m. today, one of our officers was patrolling the area of 5000 block of East 2nd Street when he saw this beautifully handwritten license plate on a car. A quick check of the vehicle showed that it was reported stolen out of Alameda."
An accompanying picture shows a white piece of paper somewhat clumsily taped to the back of a car where a license plate would normally go. A series of block letters and numbers written in blue marker did resemble a legal license plate, although the result was decidedly more DIY than DMV.
"Pro tip: At least make the 'registration' current," the post ended.
Bolton was booked into Solano County jail "without any incident," the Facebook post said.
Benicia is a northern California waterfront city located some 35 miles northeast of San Francisco.
Records show that Bolton's bail was set at $25,000, and her next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.
