The disturbing crime happened around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, along the 300 block of Vine Street in Lansdale.
Police say the woman woke up to a man kneeling on top of her legs.
Lansdale Police Chief Michael Trail says a desperate struggle quickly ensued.
"A pretty brutal struggle and fight that goes from the bedroom, into the hallway, down the stairs, and she's able to fight off her attacker," Trail explained.
Police say the attacker then fled, taking the victim's iPad with him. But that turned out to be a critical mistake, coupled with the fact that the suspect allegedly tried to sell it to other members of the homeless community.
"We asked him, you know, how much he wanted. He said $80. We asked him to see the iPad and found out that it was locked. So, no one decided that they were going to buy it," said an unidentified homeless woman.
Just nine hours after the attack, Lansdale police say they tracked 32-year-old Jonathan Avila Arevalo near the intersection of Wood and Madison Streets. He was reportedly still in possession of the stolen iPad.
Investigators describe Avila Arevalo as a migrant from Guatemala who entered the US illegally about two years ago.
Chief Trail says he is just glad this man is off the streets.
"I don't care where you're from, where you came from, how you arrived here. If you are a criminal, and you are going to prey on our residents, it is our job to make sure you can't do it, arrest you, and bring you to justice," he said.
Avila Arevalo is being held on $99,000 cash bail. He faces several charges, including aggravated assault, strangulation, burglary, and theft.