Overview

• Joseph Wichard, 35, was arrested Saturday and charged with attempted rape and sex abuse for a Sept. 1 incident at a nail salon near West 36th Street and Broadway.
• Police say he cornered the woman, removed her pants and underwear, groped her, and bit her cheek before she fought him off.
• A criminal complaint says the victim struck the attacker with a vacuum cleaner, knocking off a Mets cap and prompting him to flee.
• Wichard was taken into custody at a Harlem homeless shelter and arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court; he is due back in court Thursday.
• Police said he has no prior criminal history; the victim was treated at a hospital, her connection to the salon is unclear, and NYPD data show reported rapes are up 23.4% this year.