The South Goa police on Saturday arrested Francisco Pereira(50) from Curchorem for his alleged involvement in vandalising of crosses.
South Goa Superintendent of Police Arvind Gawas told The Hindu on Saturday that Pereira is a habitual offender of desecrations of religious symbols and has allegedly admitted to 150 cases so far. He has been doing it for 14 years, since 2003.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who rushed to South Goa on learning about the arrest, said he appreciated the efforts of the police in probing the case.
The accused said he did it to "release the Souls, not with any enmity," police said. The suspect, a taxi driver, was nabbed in a moving car “with evidence” at Macazana in north Goa.
Seven cases had taken place of desecration of religious symbols in over last month, which included one temple as well. He will be produced before the Court soon for police remand.