A Novato man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to rape a woman after he broke in to her house Monday morning, according to police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher.
Joseph Fusilier, 43, was booked in to on charges of assault with intent to rape, sexual battery and burglary. His bail is $50,000.
San Rafael police officers received an emergency call at approximately 6:40 a.m. Monday from a 43-year-old woman living in a duplex on Jessup Street. The victim woke up after feeling someone pressed up against her back. After discovering a stranger in her bed, she screamed and the suspect ran down their stairs, Rorhbacher said.
The victim's husband returned home from a business trip at the time the incident took place.
The victim identified Fusilier as the suspect after the police found him in the parking lot of the residence. He was an acquaintance of their neighbor and entered the victim's house through an unlocked door, according to Rorhbacher.
"We want to remind people to be safe and prudent and always lock their doors and windows, even in these hot summer nights," she said.
Fusilier, who is a registered sex offender, cooperated when when he was taken in to custody.
