Transient Charged With Attempted Rape: Police

PORTLAND, OR — A Portland-area transient with an apparent methamphetamine addiction was arrested Tuesday night for allegedly assaulting and trying to rape a woman in a downtown parking garage.

Joshua Michael Hayes, 23, was taken to Multnomah County Jail following his arrest. He is charged with robbery, burglary, coercion, assault, and both attempted assault and attempted rape.

Portland Police Bureau Central Precinct officers were reportedly dispatched to an assault at a parking garage in the 800-block of Southwest 21st Avenue, in the Goose Hollow area near Providence Park in downtown Portland.

Responding officers reportedly split after receiving a description of the suspect from dispatch, with some officers beginning the search while others attended to the 35-year-old woman who'd been attacked.

The woman told police she was walking through the garage to her car when the suspect, identified as Hayes, approached her and "made a few statements" before physically attacking her, PPB spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said in a statement.

Screaming and fighting back against Hayes, the woman was able to free herself, Simpson said. Giving up the altercation, Hayes turned and fled; he was arrested a short time later about a quarter-mile away, on the opposite side of Providence Park near Southwest 17th Avenue and Southwest Yamhill Street.

The woman did not require medical attention, Simpson said.

Hayes appears to have a conviction history in California and only two previous arrests in Oregon, with the charges from those arrests showing as dismissed in the state's criminal record system.

In his interview with jail staff following his arrest, Hayes reportedly admitted to having a meth addiction.

From the Portland Police Bureau:

The Portland Police Bureau collaborates with government agencies and community organizations that provide access to advocacy services to victims of sexual assaults.

A victim may be accompanied by a sexual assault advocate or other appropriate support person during the reporting process and/or criminal investigation.

- Multnomah County Victims' Assistance Program: Provides support during the reporting of sexual assaults and referrals to victim services and resources: 503-988-3270.

- Portland Women's Crisis Line (PWCL): Provides access to advocacy services, including confidential peer support, information and referrals to community resources: 24 hour crisis line: (503) 235-5333, or 1-888-235-5333.

- Project UNICA - (Proyecto UNICA): Provides access to advocacy services for Spanish-speaking survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 24 hour crisis line: 503-232-4448, or 1-888-232-4448.

Additionally, the Portland Police Bureau Strength programs provide free self-defense classes and personal safety workshops to people around the Portland area.

To learn more information about these programs, call 503-823-0260 or visit PortlandOnline.com.

Image via Portland Police Bureau