Portland police have arrested and charged a suspect in two separate, unprovoked June 11 assaults in Bayside neighborhood and continue to investigate other recent assaults in the city.

Joshua Rezendes, who police say is a transient, has been charged with assault and felony elevated aggravated assault in connection with the Bayside incidents.

Witnesses called police at 8:12 a.m. June 11 to report that a man had just been stabbed in the area of Oxford and Preble streets. Responding officers gave emergency medical treatment to the victim, who had suffered a severe arterial slash wound to the neck, police said. While searching for a the suspect, police came across a separate confrontation near Oxford and Cedar streets, where Rezendes allegedly was assaulting another individual. A weapon was found on Rezendes, leading police to tie him to the stabbing.

“I want to commend our officers for their immediate response, which not only saved this victim’s life, but also led to the prompt and safe arrest of a violent and dangerous individual,” Chief Frank Clark said in a press release.

The Bayside incident came on the heels of an assault at 10 p.m. June 9 in the East End’s Fort Sumner Park in which a 33-year-old male was struck from behind with a blunt object while he was sitting on a park bench. The suspect was described as a “male with dark complexion” wearing a white T-shirt, according to police.

Police are investigating whether the attack in the park is related to three other recent assaults at 250 Brackett St. at 10:25 p.m. on June 8, 150 North St. at 12:25 a.m. May 29 and 95 Gray St. at 9:35 p.m. May 5. In each case, young women were attacked from behind by an individual described as a white man with a slim or thin build.

“Such random assaults are not commonplace in the city of Portland,” Clark said. “Our officers and detectives are working diligently to identify the person or persons responsible for these cowardly attacks, and hold them accountable for their actions.”

Patrols in those areas have increased.

If anyone witnessed these incidents or has any information that could help police solve these crimes, call 874-8575 or leave an anonymous tip on the Crime Tip Line at 874-8584 or text PPDME plus the message to 847411 (TIP411).