Ashland police are investigating an apparent break-in and assault of an 81-year-old woman yesterday.

Before police were informed of the break-in, they received a call about 6:25 a.m. reporting that a man was exposing himself at an apartment community off North Cottage Green Drive near England Street. Officers checked the area but couldn't locate the man.

Then at about 6:40 a.m., officers learned that someone had broken into an apartment in the complex and assaulted the woman who lived there, authorities said. The intruder then ran off.

The woman was treated for minor injuries.

Ashland police Lt. James Shelhorse declined to release additional information about the incident, citing the ongoing investigation. He also said it was too early to tell whether the indecent exposure incident was related to the break-in.

Shelhorse urged residents to lock their doors and windows.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the police at (804) 412-0600 or Crimestoppers at (804) 780-1000.