Cypriot police have arrested a man suspected of burgling the homes of bereaved families in Nicosia while they were attending the funeral of their loved ones, a statement said Thursday.

The 48-year-old Greek Cypriot man was remanded in custody for eight days by the Nicosia District Court on suspicion of committing several crimes.

Police said he was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after residents reported a man acting suspiciously in their neighborhood.

The unnamed suspect, carrying a bag of tools, was apprehended near the home of a family that was attending a relatives funeral.

Authorities said fingerprint evidence linked him to five other break-ins in the capital.

Police said they believe the suspect targeted houses that he knew were empty because the residents would be attending a funeral.