Portland police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who is suspected in at least two assaults and robberies.
Officers responded Monday morning just after 8:30 a.m. to an alleged assault of a man near Southwest 5th Avenue and Salmon Street. The man said a stranger attacked him with a golf club.
The victim — who was taken to a hospital with injuries and has since been released — said the stranger poured hot coffee on him and stomped on his head while he was on the ground, before taking his backpack and fleeing, police said.
The next morning, at about 2:45 a.m., another assault was reported at West Burnside Street and Southwest 5th Avenue. Responding officers found a man unconscious on the sidewalk. The victim had been robbed, too. Detectives believe the suspect was the same one from the earlier assault, police said.
Police released a photo of the suspect that shows a man in his 20s with a beard, about six feet tall, wearing glasses, a green Oregon Ducks baseball cap, black zip-up hooded sweatshirt, black pants, a black backpack and white shoes with black laces.
Detectives said the man may be connected to other assaults reported in the downtown Portland area.
Police uploaded a video to YouTube of Monday’s violent assault, which shows the suspect outside a coffee shop. They also released surveillance photos.
Police ask anyone who might have relevant information to contact Det. Matt Brown at matthew.brown@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0859. Police said that if you spot the suspect, you should not approach him and should call 911.
— Savannah Eadens; seadens@oregonian.com; 503-221-6651; @savannaheadens
