Stop us if you've heard this one: A former "Baywatch" star walks into a store, steals no money or jewels, just a book of drawings, then walks out and acts like nothin' happened ... and pretends to be a cop!

Well, that's exactly what Placerville, CA cops say happened when Jose Solano -- aka Manny Gutierrez from "Baywatch" -- went into a tattoo parlor there. He ditched the store with a book of tattoo drawings, and when the owner confronted him, Jose allegedly claimed to be a CHP officer. He then got into his car, hit a light pole and sped away.

Solano was arrested and released on $11,500 bail.