Abraham Cordova, 26, of the 7200 block of Horrocks Street, was arrested on Wednesday after surveillance video showing a suspect was released to the media.
Investigators say that video led to several tips. Then, on Wednesday evening, officers observed a man fitting the description operating a white Toyota Celica and was stopped.
The victim, a 63-year-old woman, told police it was 12:06 a.m. last Thursday when a man operating a white Toyota Celica parked on the 7900 block of Loretto Avenue and entered her home.
The victim says the suspect approached her and began to sexually assaulting her. She says that when she resisted, the man produced a hammer and struck her several times in the head.
"Horrendous injuries to this woman about the head and face," said Capt. John Darby of the Philadelphia Police. "She has emergency surgery in an effort to save her sight."
The woman then began screaming, and that is when the suspect fled.
Cordova is charged with attempted murder, attempted rape, aggravated assault and related charges.
