Police have identified the man they say tried to rape an 83-year-old woman, attacking and robbing her over the weekend.

The incident happened Saturday inside the Castle Hill Housing Development.

Police say 51-year-old Gary Mallette is the one responsible for forcing himself inside the 83-year-old woman's apartment just before 1 p.m.

They say he was able to get in by telling the woman he was there to fix a leak.

Once inside, they say he hit her repeatedly, breaking several ribs and bruising her face. It's then that law enforcement tells News 12 he tried to rape her. When he didn't succeed, he grabbed her cellphone and some jewelry and ran off.

The woman was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK.

Police describe Mallette as 6’1” and 180 pounds.

They say Mallette has a lengthy rap sheet with dozens of offenses including felony assault and weapons charges.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.