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By Lookout Staff

June 12 -- Police have arrested a man suspected of attacking a women with a knife while she was asleep in her Santa Monica apartment unit earlier this year.

Michael Thomas Gargiulo, a 32-year-old resident of Santa Monica, was arrested last Friday after DNA evidence linked him to the April 28 attack, police said. He is being held on $1.1 million bail. Gargiulo – who was arraigned at the LAX courthouse Tuesday by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office – faces charges of attempted willful, deliberate and premeditated murder and burglary.

Police said Gargiulo attacked the victim with a knife while she was alone sleeping in her unit in a complex on the 1200 block of 12th Street.

“The victim fought the assailant and was stabbed several times during the ensuing struggle,” said Sgt. Renaldi Thurston, the Police Department spokesman.

The victim was immediately taken to an area hospital, where she was treated for her injuries and released, Thurston said. The suspect fled the location on foot.

Detectives and Forensic Specialists from the Santa Monica Police Department located DNA evidence at the crime scene, Thurston said.

The evidence was processed through the State’s DNA database and Gargiulo was identified as a possible suspect.

Detectives believe Gargiulo entered the victim’s residence through a partially opened window.

“Residents are reminded not to leave their windows and doors open during the upcoming warm summer months as predators are looking for simple opportunities to commit crimes,” Thurston said.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about Mr. Gargiulo and this crime should call the Santa Monica Police Department Detectives at 310.458.8451, the Watch Commander at 310.458.8427 (24 hours).

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 1 (800) 78-crime (27463).