The man, Muthukrishnan, was arrested during a vehicle check at Thirubhuvanam, police said.
Explaining his modus operandi, they said he would visit houses when the elderly and women were alone and introduce himself as a doctor. He would divert the attention of the inmates and then steal jewellery, police said.
Police said he had stolen 180 sovereigns of gold, adding, ornaments weighing 65 sovereigns have been recovered.
Police said Muthukrishnan was earlier working with the Railway department at Tiruchirappalli and had been suspended for indiscipline.