Devil horn tattoos lead to arrest, sentencing in Gladstone robbery

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man was sentenced to prison on Wednesday with help from his “distinctive tattoos,” in a Gladstone robbery case, authorities announced.

The case goes back to August 2024, when 35-year-old Michael Hayter emerged from bushes next to a Gladstone bike path and robbed a 26-year-old man of his wallet and phone, according to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office.

During the robbery, Hayter claimed he had a gun, but never revealed one, officials said, noting once Hayter saw the wallet had nothing of value, he demanded the victim to withdraw cash at a nearby convenience store.

Instead, the victim ran away and reported the crime, authorities said.

When a police officer asked the victim to identify the alleged robber, he “did so with ease,” the District Attorney’s Office said, noting Hayter’s devil horn tattoos on his forehead along with tattoos above his eyebrows stating “F— cops.”

Gladstone police searched their database for someone matching the description, and found Hayter, authorities explained.

“When the victim saw the photo, he laughed and said he was 100 percent certain Hayter was the man who robbed him,” the District Attorney’s Office said.

Hayter was found guilty of second-degree robbery and theft charges on Wednesday.

The following day, Hayter was sentenced to more than five years in prison, officials said, noting he has previous convictions for robbery, theft, identity theft, assault, unlawful use of a weapon and unauthorized use of a vehicle.