UPDATE: A 24-year-old man from Portland has been arrested twice within a week for allegedly attacking two strangers minutes apart. The incidents unfolded on November 25, 2023, in Southeast Portland, escalating community concerns about public safety.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Santos Puerto-Rios is accused of throwing a “sucker punch” at a 21-year-old man sitting at a bus stop on Southeast Division Street and 122nd Avenue around 8:30 a.m. The victim sustained a cut under his left eye and a bloody lip from the unprovoked attack. A nearby witness quickly flagged down a patrol officer, leading to Puerto-Rios’s arrest shortly after the incident.
Puerto-Rios was booked into Multnomah County Jail but was released the same day. However, he failed to appear in court on November 30, raising red flags for authorities.
The situation escalated further when a family member of a 69-year-old woman reported that she had also been attacked. The woman was punched and knocked to the ground while taking out her garbage on Southeast 122nd Avenue, just 15 minutes before the bus stop incident. Police have confirmed that Puerto-Rios is the suspect in this additional case.
In a swift response, law enforcement officials re-arrested Puerto-Rios at his home on Southeast 122nd Avenue this past Tuesday. He remains in custody, facing allegations of fourth-degree misdemeanor assault.
Residents of Southeast Portland are urged to remain vigilant as police continue their investigation into these unsettling attacks. Authorities are also working to ensure community safety and prevent further incidents.
As the situation develops, individuals are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.