Portland police have arrested the man they say assaulted a couple at Poet's Beach last month.

Jonathan Rance

Jonathan T. Rance, 34, was arrested Monday at 2:30 a.m. when officers responded to a reported disturbance at Best Value Inn, located at 3310 Southeast 82nd Avenue, police spokesman Sgt. Chris Burley said.

Officers recognized Rance as the suspect in an assault on Poet's Beach on July 25.

Police say that Rance attacked a husband and wife with a metal baton as they were walking their dog on the beach.

Police say Rance and another homeless woman became angry at the couple because they let their dog off-leash. Then, Rance went into his tent and emerged with a metal baton. He attacked the couple then fled, police say.

Rance is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, interfering with making a report and two counts of second-degree assault.

He has several parking violations and was convicted of third-degree robbery in January and third-degree theft in July, court records show.

— Samantha Matsumoto

503-294-4001; @SMatsumoto55