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News Release

THREE MEN CHARGED WITH SEVERELY BEATING TRIMET RIDER SENTENCED TO PRISON - 11/13/26

November 13, 2026

 

Portland, OR-Three men who attacked and severely beat a fellow passenger on a TriMet bus are headed to prison. Two of the attackers, Audric Yesiki and Rinson Tom, were sentenced to 90 months in prison, which is 7 years and six months. Greffy Tom, cousin of Rinson, was sentenced to 70 months (or 5 years and 10 months prison) on November 113, 2026.

 

The attack happened October 16, 2025, and was captured on video by the TriMet bus camera system.

 

The driver told police that three men tried to board his bus at 141st Avenue and SE Stark Street in Portland. The driver said one of the three men were smoking, and he told the man he could not smoke on the bus. The man smoking told the other two to get on the bus, but the person smoking did not want to get on the bus which caused a delay. According to the driver, a passenger, Joseph Berentsen shouted at the men that he needed to get to work. The men yelled back at him.

Mr. Berentsen rushed forward and tried to shoo the men off the bus. But the driver said all three men began punching Berentsen. Berentsen eventually fell to the ground and was beaten as he lay helpless by the front door. The driver said at least one of the men used the bus hand rails to jump up and come down with hard stomps onto Berentsen’s head and face.

 

Mr. Berentsen suffered extensive injuries as a result of the beating.

 

Police arrived and found the three, who at first denied any involvement.

 

In case 25CR57791; on April 16, 2026, Rinson Tom pleaded guilty to Assault in the First Degree and was sentenced to 90 months prison.

 

In case 25CR57789; on August 26, 2026, Audric Yesiki pleaded guilty to Assault in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was sentenced to 90 months in prison.

 

In case 25CR57786; Greffy Tom pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the First Degree. He was sentenced November 13, 2026, to 70 months in prison.

 

Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows prosecuted the cases for the state. After the final sentencing he said: "Violence of any kind on public transportation will not be tolerated. The District Attorney’s Office cares deeply about TriMet ridership and its employees, who deserve a safe public transportation system. I am grateful for our close partnership with TriMet, the transit security team, and Transit Police, which enables us to hold offenders accountable.”

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Sgt. Aaron Sieczkowski and Transit Police for their excellent work on this case.

We would also like to highlight the work of the MCDA Victim Advocates who provide help and compassion to crime victims.

                                             ###MCDA###

THREE MEN CHARGED WITH SEVERELY BEATING TRIMET RIDER SENTENCED TO PRISON - 11/13/26

November 13, 2026

 

Portland, OR-Three men who attacked and severely beat a fellow passenger on a TriMet bus are headed to prison. Two of the attackers, Audric Yesiki and Rinson Tom, were sentenced to 90 months in prison, which is 7 years and six months. Greffy Tom, cousin of Rinson, was sentenced to 70 months (or 5 years and 10 months prison) on November 113, 2026.

 

The attack happened October 16, 2025, and was captured on video by the TriMet bus camera system.

 

The driver told police that three men tried to board his bus at 141st Avenue and SE Stark Street in Portland. The driver said one of the three men were smoking, and he told the man he could not smoke on the bus. The man smoking told the other two to get on the bus, but the person smoking did not want to get on the bus which caused a delay. According to the driver, a passenger, Joseph Berentsen shouted at the men that he needed to get to work. The men yelled back at him.

Mr. Berentsen rushed forward and tried to shoo the men off the bus. But the driver said all three men began punching Berentsen. Berentsen eventually fell to the ground and was beaten as he lay helpless by the front door. The driver said at least one of the men used the bus hand rails to jump up and come down with hard stomps onto Berentsen’s head and face.

 

Mr. Berentsen suffered extensive injuries as a result of the beating.

 

Police arrived and found the three, who at first denied any involvement.

 

In case 25CR57791; on April 16, 2026, Rinson Tom pleaded guilty to Assault in the First Degree and was sentenced to 90 months prison.

 

In case 25CR57789; on August 26, 2026, Audric Yesiki pleaded guilty to Assault in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was sentenced to 90 months in prison.

 

In case 25CR57786; Greffy Tom pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the First Degree. He was sentenced November 13, 2026, to 70 months in prison.

 

Deputy District Attorney Branden Meadows prosecuted the cases for the state. After the final sentencing he said: "Violence of any kind on public transportation will not be tolerated. The District Attorney’s Office cares deeply about TriMet ridership and its employees, who deserve a safe public transportation system. I am grateful for our close partnership with TriMet, the transit security team, and Transit Police, which enables us to hold offenders accountable.”

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Sgt. Aaron Sieczkowski and Transit Police for their excellent work on this case.

We would also like to highlight the work of the MCDA Victim Advocates who provide help and compassion to crime victims.

                                             ###MCDA###