A man who allegedly indecently assaulted a disabled woman as she rolled through a Hamilton street in her wheelchair has been arrested.

Hamilton City Police are praising the local community following the arrest.

It came as a direct result of a public request for information on Monday by the victim, a 51-year-old disabled woman, and police.

The woman has lived in Enderley area for 15 years and said she never felt unsafe until her run in with the nearly toothless man.

She has suffered from spina bifida since childhood and was travelling in her wheelchair, along her usual Mardon Rd route on January 14, to visit family between 4.30pm and 4.45pm when she was confronted by a man she did not know.

He then grabbed her, allegedly indecently assaulting her in broad daylight.

The offender was described as a male Maori with a grey goatee/beard and sunken cheeks. All his front teeth were also missing except one tooth on the right side of his mouth.

A 58-year-old Fairfield man fitting that description has been arrested and will be appearing in the Hamilton District Court this afternoon  charged with indecent assault. 

Detective William Loughrin thanked the community for their help.

''Within hours of publicising the details of the attack we had information coming in regarding the identity of the suspect," Mr Loughrin said.

"There is no doubt that the excellent description provided by the victim assisted the community in identifying the local man now in custody."

Mr Loughrin said the victim was relieved to know that an arrest had been made and was happy at the quick resolution and support from the community.

- © Fairfax NZ News