Ashland police tonight arrested a suspect in the rape of an elderly woman earlier in the day in an apartment complex near the Hanover Ashland Shopping Center.

Shortly after 1 p.m., a 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.

A suspect was arrested about 8:30 p.m., said Ashland police Sgt. Scott Menzies. He said he hoped to provide more information about the arrest tomorrow.

The apartments are just east of the shopping center. An attempted sexual assault was reported in the same vicinity about six weeks ago, Ashland police said.

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