GALVESTON — A collection of jailhouse tattoos could help police identify a man found severely beaten and clinging to life in an alley Wednesday morning.

An anonymous caller told police about the man, who they found about 7 a.m. lying near 35th Street between Avenue R and Avenue R1/2.

He had been struck multiple times on his head and face with an unknown object and was only partially conscious when police arrived.

When medics began treating him, the man started screaming and fighting with them as they transported him to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, police detective Doug Balli said.

Since his hospitalization, the man’s condition has deteriorated, Balli said.

He was unconscious, in intensive care and may not survive, Balli said.

“He belongs somewhere,” Balli said. “He’s not a transient. He’s not homeless. His grooming, his clothes suggest he has a home.”

Police think the man’s many tattoos could help identify him.

He had the word “white” written in Old English cursive on his right hand, which was tattooed in a way like those done in prison, Balli said.

He also had a cross on his upper right shoulder with the word “bless” over it, a sun on his upper left shoulder and a picture of a grim reaper on his left forearm.

He also had the word “xeller” tattooed on his right hand.

The man appears to be white or a light-skinned Hispanic in his mid-20s to early 30s, Balli said.

He was wearing a dark blue T-shirt and shorts and police found nothing in his pockets, Balli said.

The man has at least two gold teeth in the front of his mouth, Balli said.

Police are contacting other law enforcement agencies, searching computer systems for references to his tattoos and looking for missing persons reports.

So far, they haven’t found anything, Balli said.

Anyone who may know who the man is can contact Galveston Police at 409-765-3702 and reference case No. 2008-42420.