Salem police have arrested two men in connection with a series of brutal assaults during which they allegedly tried to beat, stab and kick their victims to death.

At least two of the victims were transients living in the Salem area, according to police reports.

Joseph Michael Sizemore, 33, of Portland, and Brady Canaga, 23, of Turner, are being held at Marion County Jail without bail on multiple counts of attempted murder, assault, first-degree robbery and coercion.

According to court records, Sizemore, a convicted sex offender, is accused of trying to beat a man to death with a crowbar in November. He allegedly threatened the man and forced him to undress.

Music therapy:Former Korn guitarist's Rock to Recovery program now in Oregon

Four months later, on March 19, he tried to kill another man by beating him with a bat, according to court records.

Sizemore and Canaga allegedly attacked a third man near the 100 block of Mission St. SE on March 21 by stabbing him, robbing him and forcing him to undress.

The victim, a 40-year-old transient, suffered a punctured lung and deep cut to his knee during the attack.

Fatal crash:Fairway Avenue may not qualify for speed bumps following deadly crash

Court documents list Canaga as Sizemore's co-defendant. According to court records, he joined Sizemore in trying to beat the March 19 victim to death by hitting him with a bat and kicking him with his boots.

Following the attack — which occurred by the railroad tracks near Mission Street and Commercial Street SE — the 40-year-old homeless victim was hospitalized with serious brain trauma requiring surgery.

Canaga and Sizemore were arrested six days after the March 21 attack near 100 Mission St. SE.

Sizemore was convicted of two counts of third-degree rape in 2012. He was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender.

Canaga had an active warrant out for his arrest after he failed to appear in court on charges of methamphetamine possession, second-degree theft, giving false information to a police officer and interfering with a police officer.

He was previously convicted of fourth-degree assault and menacing in 2018.

During the suspects' court hearings Thursday, Marion County Judge Daniel Wren ordered that both men be held without bail.

According to court records, Canaga was deemed to be a danger to his victim and Sizemore was labeled as a public safety risk.

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

Read more on crime: