Police have arrested a Missouri man with very distinctive face tattoos after he allegedly tried to steal the truck of a pastor who had given him a lift.

Robert Michael, 31, was charged with attempted robbery after repeatedly trying to take keys from the unidentified preacher who took him 20 miles from Oak Grove to Independence, outside Kansas City.

The unnamed pastor described Michael's face and neck tattoos to police, who were able to quickly find the suspect and take him into custody.

Robert Michael, 31, of Independence, Missouri, was charged with attempted robbery after allegedly trying to steal the keys of a pastor who gave him a ride from nearby Oak Grove

The Oak Grove pastor told police that Michael had come to his church and talked to him for half an hour until he finally agreed to give the man a ride.

Michael's Facebook account stated this summer that the suspect's car had been stolen.

When the pastor drove to Independence with his passenger, he was wary because Michael had told him that he spent 10 years in a Texas prison, according to the Kansas City Star.

After arriving at their destination, Michael allegedly demanded all of the clergyman's money and tried to snatch the keys to the vehicle, holding what the pastor thought was a knife.

The driver got out of the truck with his keys and waved down a fellow motorist to help as the suspect fled the scene.

The pastor drove Michael to Independence Square (pictured) when the suspect allegedly took out a knife

Michael reportedly told the victim that he had spent 10 years in a Texas prison as they drove to Independence

Police were able to find Michael after the pastor described his tattoos, including fire-like tribal symbols around his eyes and a rifle on his neck.

The word 'What' is seen beneath the gun.

His chest also bears a pentagram with the numbers 666 and a ram's head, both symbols associated with Satanism.