PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A woman was reportedly attacked by a man in downtown Portland early Thursday morning.
Police say a woman was attacked by a stranger around 5:30 a.m. as she entered FUEL, a yoga workout business in the 800 block of Southwest 2nd Avenue.
Officers arrived and interviewed the woman and began to search for the suspect, who reportedly fled southbound on Southwest 2nd Avenue immediately after the attack, according to police.
Officers collected surveillance video from nearby business, including the World Trade Center in an effort to identify the suspect.
The suspect, according to Portland Police spokesperson Sgt. Chris Burley, was taken into custody around 9:30 a.m. Thursday near Southwest 9th Avenue and SW Washington Street after officers found a man matching the suspect’s description.
Jerry Dessources, 39, was arrested and charged with first degree sexual assault and kidnapping. He is being held at the Multnomah County Jail.
The specific injuries the woman may have suffered during the attack have not been released.
Around 6:30 a.m. Thursday detectives with the Sex Crimes Unit arrived on scene to conduct an investigation. Officers assigned to the Forensic Evidence Division also responded to photograph and collect evidence.
Anyone with information about this incident, including locations that may have video surveillance that captures sidewalks and roadways nearby, should contact Sex Assault Detail Detective Matthew Estes at 503.823.0462 or Matthew.Estes@portlandoregon.gov
