NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Before 5 a.m. Monday morning, a tenant at Trevecca Towers was awakened by what she thought was her cat.

City police say it wasn’t her cat, but a complete stranger who was in bed with her.

“It’s in the early morning or late at night,” said Elizabeth, a tenant at Trevecca Towers who asked to use only her first name. “A surprise, but still not.”

According to an affidavit, the suspect attempted to pull up the woman’s nightgown before she woke up. According to MNPD, she calmed the suspect down before he eventually left and then called police.

“Bad incidents happen everywhere. I am truly sorry for what happened to this woman,” said Tyrone Mason.

People there say the building has several security mechanisms, but claim they are ineffective. Residents need a key fob to open the door and then have to find their way past building security and the numerous cameras installed throughout the building.

Local residents claim that even with these measures, many people who do not live there would have no problem getting in.

“I just wish they would take this seriously,” Elizabeth said. “I know the MPs are here almost every day.”

City police arrested the suspect, 31-year-old Jerru Wells, who is reportedly homeless, adding that Wells has a previous conviction as a sex offender.

“You don’t want that to happen to anyone, even to yourself, to have someone break into your house like that,” Mason said.

Wells faces several charges, including attempted rape and violating the sex offender registry, which is a second offense for him.

“You don’t want someone carrying a gun, even if they’re registered on that property. Well, it gets to the point where I can understand why someone would do that.”

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