This is the shocking moment a thug walks into a church and steal’s a praying woman’s handbag with her phone and important belongings before casually strutting out.

The theft was filmed at the Sao Joao Batista Church in the municipality of Mirandopolis in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo on 2nd March.

In the footage, the victim is seen praying with her head bowed as the suspect walks into the church, snatches her bag, and calmly leaves.

The 19-year-old victim, name not disclosed, told the news site G1: “I go there two or three times a week to pray before leaving for work. The bell usually rings at 8am, which is when I go to my job. When I heard it, I opened my eyes and looked for my bag, but couldn’t find it.”

The victim went to the parish office and then called the police after arriving at work.

Police officers went to the church and checked the security camera footage. Later, while on patrol in the area, they recognised the suspect and found him in possession of the teen’s bag.

He was arrested and taken to Pereira Barreto jail after failing to post bail.

The victim said: “I got my mobile phone, documents, sunglasses, and three cards back, but the purse and some other documents I couldn’t retrieve.”

Her mother said: “The important thing is that my daughter is well and he didn’t hurt her, but it was very scary.”