India, May 13 -- New Delhi

The Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested a 44-year-old man who is wanted for a series of thefts from temples across multiple states and had been evading arrest for nearly three years, officers aware of the matter said on Tuesday.

Police said that the accused, identified as Mohit Sharma, stole idols, jewellery and other articles from temples across Punjab, Kerala and Karnataka over the past few months, and they arrested him near the Patiala House Courts, where he was planning to meet with an associate.

Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Harsh Indora said, "Sharma had developed a pattern by targeting comparatively isolated or less-guarded temples and religious places. He allegedly stayed on temple premis...