NEWARK, N.J. — Newark police are searching for a man who attacked a nun at a city church and stole a laptop computer.

Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the Newark Archdiocese, said the 55-year-old nun was working in the convent of St. Lucy’s Church around 11 a.m. Thursday when she heard a noise and saw a man wearing a dark overcoat.

Goodness said the man punched and kicked her. She was taken to a local hospital. Goodness said she was not seriously injured.

A church sexton said the man had come to the church earlier in the day asking for money and was turned away.