Udupi : A man  named Sanjeeva Mukhari (55) alias Santosh Poojari alias Harish who is said to be a notorious thief who used to steal cash boxes from temples and mosques as well as petty shops, was arrested  by the Padubidri police.

Initially Padubidri inspector Mahadeva Shetty intercepted him  and questioned him when he was moving around suspiciously. But the man attacked the inspector and fled. The police later manage to chase and apprehend him.

Police said he was involved in thefts in temples, mosques and petty shops in several places including Shirva, Uchila, Hejamady, Padubidri, Tenka Yermal. It is said he was also wanted for thefts in Man galore, Dharmsathala, Belthangady.

He was once jailed for three years for a theft in Bunder station limits in Mangalore and was released just in March.