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Suspect Arrested in Severe Beating of 80-year-old Woman

A man suspected of beating and attempting to sexually assault an 80-year-old woman in her Hollywood apartment has been arrested, police said.

Marcus Datwione Peete, 33, of Los Angeles was arrested Friday in connection with the June 18 crime, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The suspect faces charges of attempted murder, burglary and assault to commit a felony during a first-degree burglary, police said.

Peete is accused of entering the victim's retirement complex near Hollywood Boulevard and Ivar Avenue in the early morning hours. The accused attacker was caught on surveillance video pressing buttons on the call box until somebody buzzed him in.

Somehow, the man made it past a security guard in the lobby of the senior subsidized housing complex. The suspect took an elevator to an upper floor and knocked on the victim's door.

When the woman opened her door, Peete pushed his way in, attempted to sexually assault her, severely beat her and then fled, police said.

The woman, who lives alone, fought him off, police said.

She was taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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