Two suspected shoplifters making a run for it accidentally turned themselves in when they ran into a police station.
Marwan Al Ebadi, 28, and Salma Hourieh, 29, ignited a police car chase in Phoenix when cops responded to reports that the pair were shoplifting in a mall plaza in Lake Pleasant Parkway on February 16.
But in their frantic flee the duo didn't realize they dashed right into the arms of authorities when they hopped the fence of Peoria Police Station to hide, which was all caught on security surveillance.
Caught: Marwan Al Ebadi, 28, (left) and Salma Hourieh, 29, (right) accidentally turned , they ran into a police station to hide
Police first arrived on the scene near the plaza after the two were reported shoplifting. Cops then recognized the pair's vehicle at a nearby gas station.
When the suspects saw the cop cars, they immediately took off barefoot, launching a chase around 6pm.
The various security cameras at the police station captured the pair's mad dash.
Despite running right past the precinct's sign that reads 'Peoria Police' in large letters above the door, the pair climb over the gate and into a courtyard inside the property of the police station.
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ShareThe footage shows police cars pull up right as the two hop the fence.
Once in the courtyard the couple scramble, with Al Ebadi running to the end of the yard to try and climb a gate to get out.
Hourieh, wearing what looks like pink pajamas, slams her body under a bench to hide.
Authorities were able to alert their co-workers inside about the trespassers hiding in plain sight.
It was from their hiding spots that police emerged from the station to arrest the two.
'I’ve never seen something like this, this is obviously pretty rare,' said Officer Brandon Sheffert of the Peoria Police Department to ABC 15.
Scene of the crime: The two were caught on security tape here at the Peoria Police Station in Arizona where they jumped the fence
Mad dash: The two frantically searched for a hiding place with Hourieh (above front in pink) running barefoot towards the police station fence that leads to a courtyard
After the two scaled the gate Hourieh (left) looked for a hiding place while Al Ebadi (right) dashed for a gate on the other side and hopped over
Final positions: Al Ebadi (left, smaller red circle) hopped the fence again, but police were waiting on the other side to arrest him. Hourieh (right, bigger red circle) decided to hide under a bench on the police property
'Number one, don’t run from the police, number two if you do make sure you don’t run right to the police,' Sheffert added.
The two were arrested on several charges including shoplifting, trespassing and drug charges.
The Peoria Police station shared the hilarious footage on their social media pages, where fans are left in stitches over the foiled escape. The clip has been viewed more than 11,000 times.
'This incident serves as a reminder that you should never run from the police and if you do; do not run into a secure parking lot of a police station. #peoriaaz #peoriapoliceaz #cantmakethisup #baddecisions,' the station said on Facebook.
Fans were quick to share their amusement in the comments section, dubbing the pair the 'The World's Dumbest Criminals'.
'And when they write a book it should be called "we’re not really stupid, I swear!!!!"' Facebook user Arturo Leuck said.
'Be one with the bench no one will see me. Dumba***** (sic),' another user wrote.
'This is hilarious,' another added.
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