Fugitive with face tattoos arrested in Hamilton, again

A wanted man, who is known for his facial tattoos, was arrested in Hamilton.

A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Michael Stamatakos, 31, in October. He was located and arrested by the Hamilton Police Service, the OPP said in a press release today (Dec. 20).

He is currently serving a two-year sentence for arson – damage to property, flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle, uttering death or harm threats and drug possession.

Stamatakos had been granted statutory release, which allows federal offenders who have served two-thirds of their sentences to be released from prison under supervision.

This is the second time Stamatakos breached the conditions of his statutory release. Another warrant was issued for his arrest on Feb. 23. He was captured on March 16.

In March, he was captured after a nurse recognized him when he checked into St. Joseph’s hospital campus on Charlton Avenue in Hamilton.

Stamatakos distinctive facial tattoos earned him the nickname “Toronto’s Joker.”

The tattoos cover most of his face, consisting of a heart and teardrop and a stitch trail on his left cheek and a stitch trail on his right cheek. He also has “SD KEYZ” on his right calf, “THE WORLD IS MINE” on his left hand and “SPARTON” on the right side of his neck.

In October, people mistakenly thought he was a man arrested in Oshawa. That man, who also had facial tattoos, was not Stamatakos, Durham Regional Police advised the public at the time.

The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad thanked the public and the media for their assistance.