BOONTON TOWN— When a 71-year-old woman was awoken early Tuesday morning by a man attempting to rape her, police say she fought him off.

John Santiago, 18, is facing several charges accusing him of forcing his way into the woman's home, taking money from her purse and engaging "in an act of sexual contact," Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said Tuesday.

When he attempted to rape her, Knapp said a "physical altercation ensued," after which the man fled the scene.

Santiago has been charged with second-degree attempted aggravated sexual assault, second-degree burglary, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual assault, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, and a disorderly person's offense of theft.

Knapp encouraged anyone with information about the incident to call Detective Craig May of the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200.

New Jersey 101.5 did not Tuesday whether Santiago had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Prosecutors in Morris County do not release photos of criminal defendants.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com

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