A man has been arrested for allegedly raping a woman in a Palmerston street during the afternoon, with the man allegedly on the run since last Thursday, NT Police said.

Police director of communications Mark Wilton said in a statement that at an unspecified time last Thursday afternoon a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by a 52-year-old man she knew, along Roystonea Avenue, in Yarrawonga.

“The victim managed to flee the assault and seek refuge at a nearby business, before contacting police,” Mr Wilton said.

Police said the victim was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for assessment while a suspect was identified shortly after the assault, with detectives having been searching for him since Thursday.

Mr Wilton said the man was arrested on Monday and remained in custody with charges expected to be laid later tonight.