BEAVER COUNTY (KDKA) – An 18-year-old has been charged in the brutal rape and beating of an elderly nun in Aliquippa.

Andrew Bullock, of Orchard Street, faces at least 10 charges in the Friday morning attack.

The nun serves at St. Titus Church on Franklin Avenue.

She was walking in a parking lot behind the church when she was approached by a man who choked her, punched her, then threw her to the ground where she was assaulted and raped.

Assistant Chief Dan Couch told KDKA’s Kym Gable, “The first thing you notice when you look up up where this horrific act occurred, is the statue of the Virgin Mary looking down.”

Couch told Gable the savage beating outraged officers in his department.

They worked with the Beaver County D.A. to make a swift arrest.

A key piece of evidence was a boot print in the snow that investigators say matches the boots Bullock was wearing.

Bullock was arraigned at Aliquippa Police Headquarters.

KDKA does not identify victims of sex crimes.

The nun, who is in her 70s, is recovering at Allegheny General from a broken jaw.

Assistant Chief Couch says it was his department’s goal to get Bullock behind bars as soon as possible.

“We did that and I’m very proud of the work they did,” he said.

As of Saturday morning the nun was reportedly in stable condition and expected to be released from the hospital.

The Sisters of St. Joseph also released a statement Saturday, saying in part: “The Sisters of St. Joseph are deeply saddened and heart-broken by the assault of one of our Sisters. Through God’s grace and goodness, Sister is expected to be released from the hospital today.”

Stay with KDKA for more information.

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