Suspect Arrested After Series of Assaults in South Tabor Neighborhood

Portland police arrested a 43-year-old man after responding to several reported assaults in Southeast Portland on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The arrests followed calls from the South Tabor area and nearby blocks within a short period of time, according to the Portland Police Bureau. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

Police said the first report came in around 11:30 a.m. Officers went to a residence near Southeast 67th Avenue and Southeast Brooklyn Street, where they learned a man entered the home, forced a woman into a room, and assaulted her before leaving. Minutes earlier, officers said the same suspect entered a nearby church and inappropriately touched another woman before fleeing. Police also said the man is suspected of grabbing two other women who were walking in the neighborhood. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

Officers searched the area and found the suspect near Southeast 68th Avenue and Southeast Clinton Street. Police identified him as Judson C. Defir and booked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center on attempted rape in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree, and outstanding warrants. The bureau said additional charges may follow as the investigation continues. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

For people affected by an assault, the first practical steps often involve getting medical care, asking for an incident report, and saving any messages, photos, or witness names tied to the event. Those records can matter later in a criminal case, a compensation claim, or both. If an assault happened on unsafe property, a premises liability review may also be relevant. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

Police asked anyone with information to contact crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov (opens in a new tab) and reference case number 26-74469. (portland.gov (opens in a new tab))

Sources

1. Suspect Arrested After Series of Assaults in South Tabor Neighborhood (opens in a new tab) - Portland Police Bureau, 2026-03-16