MAN ACCUSED OF BRUTAL ATTACK ON EX

A HOMELESS MAN WAS ARRESTED IN LAKE COUNTY TUESDAY AND CHARGED WITH ATTACKING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND LAST MONTH.  NORTH PORT POLICE SAY THE WOMAN WHO LIVES IN NORTH PORT BELIEVED THE ATTACKER WAS 42 YEAR OLD ARTHUR LEWIS EVEN THOUGH HIS FACE WAS OBSCURED.  THE TWO HAD RECENTLY BROKEN UP BEFORE THE DECEMBER 21^ST INCIDENT.  THE VICTIM SAID SHE WAS AWAKENED BY A MAN IN A CAMOUFLAGE SKI MASK STANDING OVER HER WITH A FIVE INCH KNIFE IN HIS HANDS.  SHE TRIED TO GRAB PEPPER-SPRAY FROM HER NIGHTSTAND, BUT THE ATTACKER GRABBED HER AND PULLED HER OFF THE BED; THEN STABBED HER A REPORTED 14 TIMES.  HE THEN TIED THE VICTIM WITH ZIP-TIES AND MADE HER SHOWER WHILE REPEATEDLY RUNNING THE KNIFE OVER HER BODY.  THE ATTACKER THEN TRIED TO STRANGLE HER WITH AN EMPTY PILLOW CASE, BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO FIGHT HIM OFF AND GET TO A NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE.  SHE WAS FLOWN TO BAYFRONT MEDICAL CENTER IN ST. PETE FOR TREATMENT.  WHILE SHE WAS BEING INTERVIEWED BY POLICE, A NURSE SAID A MAN, LATER IDENTIFIED AS LEWIS, WAS CRYING HYSTERICALLY ABOUT HOW HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DEAD.  DETECTIVES INTERVIEWED LEWIS WHO TOLD POLICE HE HAD HEARD FROM A FRIEND ABOUT THE ATTACK.  LEWIS WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, ROBBERY WITH A FIREARM AND KIDNAPPING.  HE IS BEING HELD ON A $1500 BOND IN THE SARASOTA COUNTY JAIL.