Black Like Me? Instant Street Cred for Only $689

A $689 silicone mask called The Player is likely to become more popular, as news about bank robber Conrad Zdierak's ability to elude capture trickles out to the criminally inclined.

Conrad Zdzierak, 30, has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated robbery after robbing four banks and an a CVS pharmacy on April 9, reports ABC News affiliate WFTS in Tampa.

Detectives say Zdzierak was initially able to elude the cops because of his disguise, an expensive silicon mask called “The Player” valued at around $650.

"The suspect seen in the surveillance photographs and that we were looking for, we believed to be an African-American male. The suspect was actually a male, white, who was wearing an elaborate disguise," Springdale, Ohio, Police Lt. Michael Mathis told WFTS.

Investigators believe Zdzierak likely removed the mask between the robberies in order to confuse the cops who believed they were looking a black man. _nydailynews_via_boingboing_via_keelynet

Expect such disguises to grow ever more sophisticated with the advances in materials science, nanotechnology, and electronics that are occurring. Not only disguises for a person's face and clothing, but also disguises for a person's getaway vehicle. Automobiles with paint that changes colour, for example.

While crime is more common within communities of lower IQ minorities, the most successful criminals over time tend to have above average intelligence. As the tools of disguise grow ever better, brighter criminals will find it easier to elude the grasp of conventional law enforcement.

The race-changing perp above, Conrad, was caught because a money-bag dye pack exploded inside his Volvo, allowing police to locate his motel room where he was hiding. That information suggests that Conrad was not actually that intelligent after all.