Assault in SE Portland sparks manhunt

Assault in SE Portland sparks manhunt

The Secret Rendezvous in Southeast Portland is closed for now after two women reported being sexually assaulted and robbed there by a client Saturday night.

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By Adam Ghassemi, KATU News and KATU.com Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. - Two women were sexually assaulted and robbed at the adult business where they were working Saturday night.

I visited their shop in Southeast Portland, where this attack sparked a police manhunt and led to an arrest.

But things aren't back to normal at Secret Rendezvous where the two women work. Employees there said they provide "fantasies for men." A sign outside Secret Rendezvous said it's open 24-seven, and "It'll be our little secret."

But Sunday a padlock is on the front door.

"We don't prostitute here," said one worker. "It's one-on-one personal time with a gentleman."

This woman, calling herself Mariah, said they cater to a wide range of people - more than a strip club, but less than a brothel.

"We get all different kinds of men," Mariah said. "We get women, we get gay guys. I mean we just get variety."

But police said 32-year-old Joshua Gawith was Saturday night's variety, the kind that sexually assaults and robs women before running off.

Police said they used K9 units to track the suspect from Division Street to nearby neighborhoods on 129th Avenue. Neighbors said they The shed where 32-year-old Joshua Gawith reportedly hid from police.ended up behind a vacant home in this shed.

Neighbor Bob Seaman showed us broken pieces of the shed he said has seen plenty of activity before.

"Many times this has been locked, and many times someone breaks in," Bob Seaman said. 

While police said Gawith now faces a long list of charges, Mariah said at Secret Rendezvous they'll probably start screening customers.

"Just to see who they are," she said. "And I'm just sorry that that happened last night because it usually doesn't."

And she's hoping she or any other co-workers aren't attacked again.

"We are always concerned," Mariah said, "and hopefully this guy will learn his lesson from this."

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