Udupi : The Padubidri police have been successful in arresting a notorious thief  who was habituated to stealing donation boxes of religious shrines.

The man named Sanjeeva Mukhari (55) alias Santosh Poojari alias Harish was apprehended after a chase by the cops led by Padubidri Inspector Mahadeva Shetty, when Sanjeeva  fled after attacking Shetty who questioned him on noticing him lurking suspiciously in the area.

Reports said Sanjeeva had committed thefts in shrines and petty shops in Shirva, Uchila, Hejamady, Padubidri, Tenka Yermal and also at Mangalore,Belthangady, Vittal and Dharmasthala.

He was also once jailed for three years  for a theft in Bunder police station limits in Mangalore and was released in March this year. Police said he was also an HIV patient.

Investigations are underway.