Intruder Faces Attempted Rape, Assault Charges: Police

EDGEWATER, MD — A man armed with a knife is accused of attacking a woman in her Edgewater home and has been arrested on assault and attempted rape charges, authorities said.

The home invasion was reported about 12:25 a.m. on Aug. 13 by a woman who lives in the 300 block of Likes Road in Edgewater. The 74-year-old victim told Anne Arundel County Police a man armed with a knife entered her home and confronted her while in her bedroom.

While struggling with the intruder, the woman suffered a small puncture wound to her upper torso, and was later treated at an area hospital for the injury.

The woman got away from the attacker and called 911. The man fled the residence and evaded a search by police helicopter and canine units, along with a door-to-door canvas of nearby homes.

On Friday, police said they had charged Paul Daniel Harell, 49, of no fixed address. He faces charges of first-degree assault, home invasion, first-degree burglary, attempted first-degree rape, second-degree assault, and attempted second-degree rape.

Investigators ask anyone with any information in the case to call Southern District at 410-222-1960, or the TipLine at 410-222-4700.