A 27-year-old man is to appear before magistrates in Omagh, Co Tyrone, this morning in connection with what the PSNI is calling a "serious sexual assault".
This follows the attack on a 72-year-old Tyrone widow who was raped in the bedroom of her home in Dromore in the early hours of Sunday. Police have said the attack has left the woman "extremely traumatised" and she is now said to be in the care of relatives.
Supt Michael Skuce, the area's PSNI district commander, said the local community had been shocked by the attack. He added that such incidents were rare.
"This was a terrible attack on a 72-year-old woman in Dromore and it has sent shockwaves throughout the community."
He said police received a telephone call early on Sunday to say the woman had been attacked in her home.
He admitted the attack could raise fears of similar attacks on particularly vulnerable members of the community.
The PSNI investigation was "progressing", he added.
SDLP West Tyrone Assembly member Eugene McMenamin said: "It is impossible to imagine the terror the victim must have felt at the time and the acute trauma she must be going through now.
"It is imperative . . . that the PSNI are given as much information as possible to build the strongest possible case to take to the courts. Whoever was responsible must feel the full force of the law and receive the longest possible sentence."
Sinn Féin councillor Ann Quinn said: "The community's thoughts are with the victim and her family at this time and the hope is that she will be able to make a full recovery from this terrible ordeal. This news has undoubtedly unsettled the local community and it will be particularly important in the days and weeks ahead to reassure elderly relatives and neighbours who may now be fearful."