Edwin Taylor (46), whose last known address was in the Buller district, was hitch-hiking from Dunedin last month when he was befriended by Helen Kay and her family.
He claimed to be a Pike River miner and stayed with the Tokarahi family for two nights - spending Christmas Day with them.
When he left, he took the victim's car and money, Constable Craig Bennett, of Kurow, said.
At the Kays', the man talked extensively about the mine disaster and claimed he was recently separated from his wife in Dunedin.
Police appealed for information about the man, who had been sought about the unlawful taking of the victim's 1996 Subaru Impreza and the theft of $1000 cash.
Police also wanted to speak to him about cashing a $1250 cheque belonging to the victims.
Following publicity, about the man, police were contacted by a Timaru person who realised he was staying with family members.
The man and the Subaru were located and he was arrested and charged with unlawfully taking the Kays' car.
Taylor appeared in the Timaru District Court yesterday and was remanded in custody to appear in the Christchurch District Court on January 28.
The court was told the man allegedly had 20 different aliases.
Helen Kay told 3News last night: "[He] had tears in his eyes one day, talking about his mates that died in the Pike River mine, and I just gave him a big hug and felt really sorry for him", NZPA reported.
