BUXTON — A distinct pattern of tattoos on a motorist’s head and neck have led to his arrest as a fugitive from justice.

When police stopped a driver on Friday for an inspection sticker violation on the pickup truck he was driving, the driver gave a name and birthdate that didn’t trigger any indications he was wanted, and he went upon his way. But the Maine State Police corporal who stopped the driver on Route 202 noticed his tattoos and investigated further.

Cpl. Doug Cropper of Troop A in Alfred contacted the Maine Information and Analysis Center with information about the unknown subject to share with the agency’s counterparts in Massachusetts.

Cropper learned the driver was Richard L. Duest, 28, of Malden, Massachusetts, who was wanted on a nationwide extradition warrant from the U. S. Probation Office in Boston.

In a statement, Maine State Police said Duest’s original charge was unarmed bank robbery. As well, he was wanted on an unspecified warrant in Rhode Island.

Police said Duest was identified by the multiple visible tattoos that Cropper observed during the traffic stop. His tattoos include a star on one side of his face, a shamrock on another, a spider web on his neck and an open-mouth skull on his throat.

State Police then coordinated with the U.S. Marshal Service and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency to set up surveillance at a residence in Buxton.

On Saturday, Cropper observed Duest in a different vehicle in Buxton and was able to conduct a traffic stop and arrest him as a fugitive from justice. As well, he was charged with providing a false name to law enforcement.

Duest was remanded to the York County Jail where he is held without bail pending extradition back to Massachusetts.

 – Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].