California Man On Meth Rapes 76-Year-Old Woman Inside Her Apartment

A man suspected to be under methamphetamine influence was charged with attempted murder after allegedly "viciously" attacking and raping a 76-year-old woman inside her California apartment, officials said Wednesday.

The incident happened at around 6:00 a.m. ET on Charles Street in Moorpark after the suspect gained entry into the victim's apartment. Deputies were alerted after neighbors heard the victim’s screams and saw a naked man roaming in the courtyard of the apartment complex.

Authorities took Edward Ayans, 49, into custody after finding the elderly victim with significant injuries inside her apartment, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Ayans was in an "extremely agitated state due to being under the influence of methamphetamine" at the time of his arrest, police said in the release. Police, however, didn’t give the specifics of the injuries.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Ayans "knew the victim and had raped her and severely beaten her." The victim was rushed to a local hospital, where she remains in critical but stable condition.

The motive behind the crime wasn’t immediately known.

Ayans was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, rape, mayhem, and elder abuse. His bail was set at $1.1 million, Ventura County Star reported.

Ayans was said to be a "convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history spanning three decades." He is scheduled to appear in court on June 17.

In April 2021, a South African man was arrested for allegedly raping his 79-year-old grandmother. The elderly victim told police that the unidentified suspect, 37, was living with her and left the residence for a brief period before returning and subjecting her to the assault. The man also allegedly threatened to kill the victim in case she notified anyone about the incident. The suspect was charged with rape and the elderly woman was admitted to a hospital for the injuries sustained during the ordeal.