John Louids was apprehended yesterday by the Old Goa Police after 'Basilica of Bom Jesus Church' authorities found him stealing the cash from a donation box, a police official said.
The Basilica is a home for relics of St Francis Xavier, whose body is kept for exposition once in ten years.
Fr Savio Barretto, the parish priest at the church, lodged a complaint yesterday.
As per the complaint, the accused was caught on CCTV while stealing the cash and after that the church authorities informed the police.