by KYW's Tony Hanson

Philadelphia police have made an arrest in the January 2007 vicious home invasion, robbery, and rape of a 69-year-old woman inside her Hunting Park home.

Capt. John Darby of the police department's Special Victims Unit says 36-year-old Ernesto Cruz, from the same neighborhood, has been charged with rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and a long list of other charges.

According to Darby, the victim was home in bed in the evening when she was confronted by a masked intruder armed with a knife who demanded money and took jewelry from her body:

"He doesn't stop there. He gags the victim. He binds her hands and feet, and then sexually assaults this woman in her own home -- an egregious assault on this woman inside her own residence where she should, in fact, feel secure."
   
Capt. Darby says Cruz stayed in the home for several hours, then left the victim, who was not discovered until the next day when a health care worker checked in on her.

The ordeal had lasted about 18 hours. Police say the woman was treated for bruises and other injuries.