Robber’s distinctive tattoos lead to his arrest and 70 months in prison

OREGON CITY, Or. -- Michael Alan Hayter emerged from the bushes next to a Gladstone bike path last August and robbed a man, stealing the victim’s wallet and phone.

Hayter, 35, claimed he had a gun, although he never revealed it. When he saw the wallet contained nothing of value, Hayter demanded the victim go to a nearby convenience store and withdraw cash. Instead, the victim ran away and reported the crime.

When a Gladstone police officer asked the 26-year-old victim to identify his assailant, the victim did so with ease. The robber had devil horns tattooed on his forehead and a word tattooed about each eyebrow. On the right, a four-letter word that started with F. On the left, “cops.”

Gladstone Police Department Det. Anthony Fich searched law enforcement databases looking for someone who matched the description. He found Hayter. When the victim saw the photo, he laughed and said he was 100 percent certain Hayter was the man who robbed him.

Hayter went on trial in Clackamas County Circuit Court on Wednesday on charges of Robbery in the Second Degree and Theft in the Second Degree. The jury deliberated for about an hour and found him guilty on both charges. 

On Thursday, Circuit Judge Katherine Weber sentenced Hayter to 70 months in prison. The victim was not present for the sentencing. Hayter did not make a statement.

Hayter has past convictions for robbery, theft, identity theft, assault, unlawful use of a weapon and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Deputy District Attorney Josh Cutino prosecuted the case.

Clackamas County Circuit Court case 24CR61088