80-year-old woman survives rape and gunshot wound during ‘horrific’ Las Vegas robbery

The elderly woman attempted to talk calmly with the burglar before pulling a gun out of her couch

Law enforcement officials in Las Vegas arrested a man who allegedly sexually assaulted and shot an 80-year-old woman in her home during an hour-long armed robbery.

Fifty-three-year-old Herbert Rogers was taken into custody and charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, sexual assault, battery and burglary, according to the Las Vegas Metro police department.

A caretaker for the elderly woman shared photos of her injuries to Facebook, describing the incident as "horrific" and bringing attention to a nearby community of homeless people living at the Huntridge Circle Park, where investigators believe Mr Rogers was spotted on multiple occasions.

“We need to get Huntridge Circle Park closed immediately, until we can figure out how to stop so many home invasions in the area,” wrote Derek Stonebarger, who has cared for the woman for years.

In a press release, the victim described how she attempted to escape the burglary by calmly talking to Mr Rogers.

“I was trying to be nice and keep my wits about me the whole time,” the woman, who is only being identified by her first name Shevaun to protect her privacy, said in a statement. ”I asked him — is that a tattoo of your girlfriend on your arm? He wasn’t amused… He's probably not amused that I’m still alive either.”

Images of the victim show her face had been badly bruised during the home invasion, as well as her arms. She was treated at a local hospital for a gun shot wound to her face and other serious injuries, according to police.

At one point, the 80-year-old woman remembered she had an old gun underneath her couch, and attempted to use it against the burglar, according to local Fox affiliate Fox5.

“I had a 1948 [gun]. I’ve never shot it but I kept it in the couch. Then I pulled out that little gun out he came running and then he grabbed it from me,” she told the news outlet. ”He started going for the door and I thought he was leaving, then he turned right around with that gun and went straight for my forehead … I was sitting and he shot me.”

The victim was able to identify her attacker by recognising his tattoos during a three-day stay at the University Medical Centre in Las Vegas.