Team Herald
PANJIM: Old Goa police arrested a 75-year-old man, after he was seen on CCTV stealing cash from the fund box at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa.
Police said the alleged accused identified as John Louis of Chennai, Tamil Nadu had visited the church intending to steal the cash from the fund box. “He has confessed to the crime. We have recovered Rs 5000 from him,” a senior police official said.
A complaint was filed by Basilica Rector Fr Savio Barreto alleging that a person was seen on CCTV stealing cash.
“One of our employees noticed his suspicious movements around the fund box. We thereafter checked the CCTV footage to find that he was stealing cash,” Fr Barreto told Herald.
Church authorities, before approaching the police had laid a trap to nab the accused. “He was very shrewd and seems to be a professional thief,” the complainant alleged.
The footage showing his involvement in the crime was submitted to the police based on which his whereabouts traced.
“He came to the Church like a visitor. He was seen in the morning and evening but knew when to attack the fund box. Though it was locked, he managed to steal the cash,” police said.
