Man arrested after trying to rob a nun

Madison, Wis., Aug 16, 2007 / 08:19 am

Police arrested a 41-year-old Madison man for breaking into the home of a Dominican sister and forcing her to assist him in his quest to commit other crimes.

The man broke into the 61-year-old Catholic nun's home shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday. When she told him she had no access to money, a cash machine, or ATM due to her vow of poverty, he forced her to drive him around in her car for almost an hour, reported The Associated Press.

Eventually, the man gave up and had the nun dropped him off on Madison's south side. She then drove to the Catholic school where she works and called police.

As they drove, the robber apologized "to the victim and wonders if he's going to be forgiven by her and the Catholic Church," police spokesman Joel DeSpain told reporters.

"It was a very traumatic experience for sister, and we're grateful she is just fine and we're grateful that the person has been apprehended," said Msgr. Thomas Baxter, pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church, where the sister is director of religious education.

According to the AP, police arrested the Madison man later Tuesday on a probation violation and tentative charges of kidnapping, burglary, battery and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has not yet been formally charged.