A man knocked on an apartment door in the Bronx and said he was going to fix a leak, then once inside he tried to rape the 83-year-old woman who lives there, police said.
The victim suffered bruises to her face and lip and was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in stable condition, the NYPD said.
Police said they were looking to question Gary Mallatte, 51, who is about 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 180 pounds. Police said he has at least four dozen prior arrests, including felony assault and weapons possession.
The woman answered her door shortly after noon on Saturday at her home in a NYCHA building on Castle Hill Avenue when the attacker said he was going to fix a leak, police said.
Once inside, he pulled the woman into her bedroom, hit her and tried to pull off her clothes, police said. He tried to sexually assault her, but she resisted.
Then he stole her cellphone before running out, police said.
The victim was hospitalized for broken ribs and facial injuries, but has since been released.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
