A man suspected of taking thousands of dollars from a Bronxville church is now in police custody.

Police say Frederick Nelson, 63, stole $2,000 from a donation bag during a Mass on New Year's Eve from Saint Joseph's Church on Cedar Street.

Authorities say he had been out of prison for only a day before the crime. He attended a parole meeting shortly before the alleged burglary.

Records show Nelson, who last lived in the Bronx, has 35 prior arrests.

Police say a Bronxville detective recognized him when reviewing surveillance video from the church. The detective had arrested Nelson four years earlier for a burglary at Concordia College, also in Bronxville.

Nelson is also accused of stealing food from the Acme Supermarket across the street.

So far, police say they have not recovered any money.

Nelson was charged with third-degree burglary. It was not immediately clear when his next court date will be.