Ashland police are investigating a rape that occurred today.

Shortly after 1 p.m., an elderly woman in the Hanover Apartments on Cottage Greene Drive off England Street reported to police that she had been sexually assaulted in her apartment by an unknown assailant.

The apartments are just east of the Hanover Ashland Shopping Center. It was the second time in the past few weeks that a rape had been reported in that vicinity.

It is too early in the investigation to say whether both events are connected, said Ashland police Sgt. Scott Menzies.

Anyone with information about either assault is asked to contact Crime Stoppers (804) 780-1000 or the Ashland police (804) 365-6140.