Victoria Police see through switched identities of doppelganger fugitives

VICTORIA – They were hiding in plain sight, hoping their similar mugs would baffle police investigators into letting them stay on the lam.

But Victoria Police say they were not fooled by two fugitives from California who had illegally entered Canada and were living in Esquimalt, B.C. using each other as an alias.

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The apparent doppelgangers have similar tattoos, share the same ethnic background, sport the same haircut and claim the same height.

Investigators say the men likely believed their physical similarities would provide enough of a cover to confuse police if ever questioned, giving them time to escape.

Instead, one of the men was arrested in a potential domestic dispute and discovered to be wanted on a U.S. warrant for a parole revocation, allowing the officers to move in and arrest the other man who has a robbery and firearms history.

Daniel Mota and Dustin Ilar were handed over to Canada Border Services Agency for immigration hearings and will likely soon be sent packing.