What is this?

I was letting the dogs out this evening and I turned around and saw this.  It nearly scared me.  I have no idea what it is.  It looked like a cross between a big cockroach and a beetle. 

Anyone know what kind of insect this is?  Please let me know. Below are a few shots.  More can be found at My Flickr Page.

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Peek-A-Boo

I spent most of the day and my parents house.  When I arrived I saw http://www.nicoputman.com peaking out of the holes in the brick wall in my parents garage.    I was lucky to get a few photos before her turn around to look at the bubbles.