On June 24, 2021 at about 6:10 p.m., a man was standing on the sidewalk near Southwest 6th Avenue and Southwest Morrison Street when an unknown suspect approached him and assaulted him without provocation (Case 21-161513). The victim fell to the ground with a head injury, the suspect ran off. The victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

On July 10, 2021 at about 8:32 p.m., another man was similarly assaulted as he stood near Southwest 6th Avenue and West Burnside Street (Case 21-188627). The unknown suspect approached and assaulted the victim who was transported to the hospital by ambulance with a serious head injury. The suspect fled before police arrived.

In both incidents the assaults were stranger to stranger and unprovoked and the suspect description was very similar. The suspect did not use any weapons during these assaults.
The Central Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) followed up on these cases in coordination with the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office and the Strategic Prosecution and Services Unit. Investigating officers identified the suspect as 34-year-old Byron Earl Burks.

On July 21, 2021 shortly after 11:00 a.m., NRT officers had just completed a foot patrol in the Pearl District with neighborhood volunteers and residents, when they drove through Old Town near Northwest 6th Avenue and Northwest Davis Street. Officers recognized Burks standing on the sidewalk nearby and arrested him, then booked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center for Assault II and two counts of Assault IV. These are ongoing investigations.

Central Precinct NRT officers work on problem solving through coordination of community and city resources to solve chronic problems in order to decrease crime and increase neighborhood vitality. They assist patrol, engage with the community, conduct directed patrol and follow up investigations.

If anyone has information about either case is encouraged to share that information. Please reference the case number and e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov . There may have been other people assaulted by this suspect who have not reported it to police. They are encouraged to call and make the report.

Anonymous tips can be sent through Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 cash for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous.

Visit the App Store and download P3 Tips to submit secure and anonymous tips.

Online at https://www.p3tips.com/823

Crime Stoppers of Oregon is funded 100% by community donations. To support Crime Stoppers with a donation, please visit http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com/
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