Skeleton Face Tattoo May Help Stolen Goods Hunt
A police officer calls the suspect's facial ink "the oddest thing I've seen in 20-plus years of law enforcement".8:41am UK, Monday 11 March 2013
Adam Roberts' booking photos (Madison County Sheriff)
By Sky News US Team
Police are hoping a suspect thief's distinctive tattoo will help them find people who purchased items he allegedly stole from dozens of storage units.
Adam Roberts, 24, is charged with three felony burglary counts related to thefts discovered last month from nearly 30 storage units in his hometown of Godfrey, Illinois.
He is accused of then selling the loot to people who may not have known they were buying stolen goods.
Police said remembering Roberts should not be difficult.
Madison County sheriff's Captain Mike Dixon described the skeleton-style tattoo, which covers his entire face, as "just odd".
"It's the oddest thing I've ever seen in 20-plus years of law enforcement," he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"I've seen horns on foreheads and stars on necks, but I've never seen a skull on a face.
"I can't explain it."
Police recovered some $1,000 (£670) worth of stolen property but are still looking for televisions, a sewing machine and professional wrestling DVDs, among other items.
"There probably isn't another guy out there with that tattoo, so if they bought something from someone with a skull tattoo in the St. Louis area, it's probably this guy," Mr Dixon said.
Roberts is being held on $60,000 (£40,177) bond.
TBWG