DC nun wearing full clerical garb carjacked at gunpoint, suspect facing charges

WASHINGTON - Police have arrested a man who they say carjacked a nun at gunpoint while dressed in her full habit in Northeast D.C. Monday night. The nun is reported to be okay following the terrifying evening.

Police say just before 7 p.m., investigators say Brandon Brown approached the nun with a handgun at the 1300 block of Quincy Street in the Brookland neighborhood.

The nun had just parked in a church-owned van, a Dodge Caravan, right in front of a home that she shared with other nuns.

Court papers reveal the 20-year-old suspect put his gun to the nun’s head and took her keys, as she said, “May God bless you.” Brown drove off with the van but was spotted a short time later.

Luckily, another sister was watching and flagged down an officer.

Brookland is an area in Northeast D.C. that's well-known for its large homes, housing many connected to the Catholic Church. Catholic University and the Franciscan Monastery are just a short walk away.

"Who would do such a thing?" says Arnold Voss.

"I think it's a heartless situation that that guy did that to a nun," said Gary Wilson.

According to investigators, the van was spotted several miles away in front of a school, near the intersection of 26th Street and Benning Road.

Police say Brown got out of the van and tried to run on foot. In fact, the van was left in drive as he tried to flee and ended up hitting a police vehicle and another parked car.

Officer were able to take stop Brown and take him into custody right in front of the RFK stadium parking lot.

Commander William Fitzgerald with D.C. police says he went to Catholic school and that he found the incident upsetting.

The sister who answered the door declined to speak on camera or talk about details related to the carjacking except to tell us everyone is okay.

Brown was charged with armed carjacking and carrying a pistol without a license. He was denied bond and is due to appear in court on April 20.