Moorpark police arrested 49-year-old Moorpark resident Edward Ayans for rape and attempted murder on April 20.

According to a Ventura County Sheriff’s Office media release, Ayans had allegedly raped and severely beaten a 76-year-old woman inside her apartment on Charles Street.

According to the media release and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Booking Reports, Ayans was booked on probable cause at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura for Attempted Willful, Deliberate, Premeditated Murder; Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse; Forcible Rape; Mayhem and Sale/Transport/Offer to Sell a Controlled Substance. His bail was originally set at $1.1 million, according to the booking reports.

“Neighbors called 911 when they heard screaming and saw a naked man in the courtyard of the apartment complex,” according to the media release. “The victim was taken to a local hospital, where she is in critical, but stable condition.”

According to Captain Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the woman lived alone in a senior-living apartment complex. Ayans was not a resident in the complex.

“He knew her,” said Buschow. “Detectives are still investigating the case, so I’m not going to get into specifics. But, they knew each other. This wasn’t like a home invasion or something. He didn’t break in.”

Ayans was found and arrested in an agitated state, under the influence of methamphetamine, in the apartment complex’s courtyard.

“When (deputies) got there they contacted him, and then they went and checked the apartment and found her with serious injuries and bleeding from a head wound,” said Buschow. “They immediately took him into custody.”

According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Information, Ayans is being charged with four felonies including Mayhem, Assault With Deadly Weapon, Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse and Sale/Transport/Offer to Sell a Controlled Substance.

Ayan’s bail was then set at $570,000, but after appearing in court on April 27 for a Bail Review-Pretrial Release Screening, he is no longer eligible for release, according to the inmate information records.

Ayans will appear in court next on April 30 for an early disposition conference.