A man disguised as a priest was arrested by police for checking out groceries, and then claiming that the bill was to be charged to the St. Rocco's Catholic Church, which actually had a tab at the supermarket.

Police officials said that Brian Rush, who claimed that he intended to give help to the poor, scammed the supermarket Gerrity's out of $98 on Tuesday.

"It sounded like he was genuinely interested in helping people but he was only genuinely interested in helping himself," WNEP quoted West Pittston Police Officer Joe Campbell.

Store officials began to get suspicious of Rush's genuineness when he began checking out items such as energy drinks and cigarettes.

Rush had reportedly executed five other recent thefts, with his total stolen cash ringing up to $1,800.

"You want to believe a priest. Who would impersonate a priest?" said Officer Campbell.

An AP article reported that Rush actually was part of the St. Rocco seminary, but left after only one month.

Rev. Daniel Schwebs of the seminary said that Rush had no authorization to use the church's supermarket tab.

He disclosed that the parish had been the victim of a string of thefts and scams in the past, saying that the Sunday collection was stolen almost exactly a year ago.

"It seems we have an annual tradition of somebody taking advantage of our parish community this way," said the Reverend.

More charges for Rush are still pending.