Elderly former nun was donating clothes at a church when she was allegedly run over by homeless woman trying to steal her car

A former nun who left her car running in order to donate clothes at a church drop-off site was run over by a homeless woman allegedly tried to steal her car.

The disturbing incident unfolded at Lake Ronkonkoma on Long Island in New York at about 6:45 p.m. Saturday.

73-year-old Lorraine Lombardo was dropping off a donation in the parking lot of the historic St. Mary's Episcopal Church when police say that a woman jumped into her car and attempted to drive off with the 2013 Chevrolet Spark.

Suffolk County police said said Lombardo rushed back to the car and tried to grab the wheel to prevent the woman from driving away. The suspect allegedly reversed the car before accelerating and knocked Lombardo over, partially running over her legs. She then rammed the car into a fence and guardrail.

A witness who lived near the church said that the woman argued with Lombardo saying she was actually the owner of the car.

“That’s just really sad that you’re that desperate to have to take somebody else’s car as they’re doing a good deed,” said Kathleen White.

Police said that the church's priest called them to report the incident.

Although the suspect ran away from the incident, police used a helicopter and dogs to track her down and arrest her. They identified her as 50-year-old Doreen Dunbar.

Lombardo was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she received surgery for her injuries, which were serious but not life-threatening.

Police say they have obtained surveillance video of the incident.

"It's a shame. I hope she recovers and she's OK, and hopefully the woman who did this will get the help that she needs," said Kim Gray, one of Lombardo's neighbors.

Dunbar will be arraigned on charges of robbery and assault, according to WCBS-TV, who reported that she was under psychiatric observation.

Here's a local news report about the incident:

Police: Woman in stolen car ran over 76-year-old former nun who was donating clotheswww.youtube.com