Officers searched for the man using a dog unit, and he was found and arrested shortly after. He has been charged with aggravated assault and burglary.
He is due to appear in Waitakere District Court later today.
Detective Sergeant Alisse Robertson said these types of incidents were rare and thanked the woman's neighbours for intervening.
"We know that the rest of the community, particularly the elderly, will have been very alarmed to hear of this and we hope they will be reassured that the alleged offender has been arrested and charged."
The woman's family was grateful for the public concern and was supporting the woman, police said.
She was receiving medical treatment for facial fractures and scratches.
Earlier a spokesman for Waitemata District Health Board said the woman was in a stable condition at North Shore Hospital.
