Milwaukee Police arrested 3 teenagers in connection to the brutal beating of a homeless man earlier this month.

19-year-old Samuel Morton was charged with 1st degree assault in the beating of a homeless man.

19-year-old-Samuel Earl Morton, was charged with 1st Degree assault, attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Police say Morton was a transient. They also arrested 16-year-old Shawn Glance of Portland, and 17-year-old Rain Helmik of Gresham. Both were charged as adults with attempted murder and 1st degree assault.

Police say the three teenagers are suspected of beating 43-year-old Andrew Gonzalez on August 1, at the Jefferson Street Boat Ramp. Milwaukie police officer Kevin Krebs, says because Gonzalez was homeless, detectives had few clues to help them find the suspects. Even so, Krebs says most cases involving transients are never even reported.

"The transient population doesn't usually like to talk to law enforcement," said Krebs. "They're not known for their cooperation and a lot of them are afraid of retribution."

Tim Desper of the Portland Rescue Mission agrees with Krebs. He says while random attacks on transients are rare on Portland streets, violence within the transient community is a problem, and goes unreported as well.

"They(transients) have fear that an individual will come back and seek revenge if they report an attack," said Desper. "Homeless people don't have doors and windows to protect them from an individual who is angry or vengeful."