The case of Matthew G. Hamersley should deeply disturb residents of Butler, and not just because of the garish prison tattoos on Hamersley’s face. It’s his criminal record that pushes our inner panic button.

The 31-year-old ex-con was arrested late Sunday night at what police called a “drug house” in the 400 block of North Washington Street. The rental property is located nearly next door to Emily Brittain Elementary School and the Butler YMCA.

It was the latest episode in Hamersley’s ongoing saga of felonious behavior.

Six years ago, Hamersley was sent to federal prison for breaking into a local gun shop and stealing 120 firearms.

Released just four months ago, he apparently dropped off of local law enforcement’s radar but put himself back on it March 8 when he crashed a car in Butler Township and fled the scene, leaving behind a critically injured passenger. Police suspect alcohol was a factor.

Federal marshals subsequently obtained an arrest warrant alleging 11 parole violations including use of alcohol while on parole.

In addition to the parole violations, Hamersley is now charged with aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence and accidents resulting in injury. Dealing narcotics in a school zone and other violations will be added soon.

Hamersley first tried to hide Sunday night, then violently resisted arrest: city and township officers, aided by a K-9 officer, forcibly removed the suspect from his hiding place in the apartment bathroom. Two Butler officers suffered minor injuries.

There should be no doubt that Hamersley is a hardened and dangerous criminal; he wasn’t sufficiently rehabilitated for release from prison. Perhaps he never will be.

It is highly noteworthy that an informant’s tip helped put this dangerous individual back behind bars.

It was the confidential informant who had tipped police that Hamersley was selling heroin and where he was hiding out. Preliminary court papers indicate the informant also helped arrange the undercover drug buy that led to the arrest of Hamersley and three accomplices.

Well done. Police can’t be everywhere. They rely on the eyes and ears of a network of tipsters and ordinary residents intent on keeping our community safe.

We don’t know anything more about this particular informant and we don’t need to. Suffice it to say we’re all potential informants — or at least we should be if we have knowledge about a dangerous, wanted criminal lurking in our midst.