A California priest was caught stealing at least $95,000 in church collections after bags of cash were found in a car crash — but he may not be charged, because of police “reluctance” to pursue a criminal probe, his diocese claims.

The Rev. Oscar Diaz, 56, fractured his hip in the crash in Santa Rosa last month — and responding EMT workers found more than $18,000 in parish collection security bags, his diocese told parishioners.

“Further investigation and search revealed that he had an additional $77,000 in cash which had apparently been stolen from the parishes where he served,” Bishop Robert Vasa said in a letter.

“There is also evidence that money was stolen in a variety of ways from each of the Parishes where he had served as pastor,” he added, saying he was “deeply grieved” and “saddened” by the “prolonged history of theft.”

“Father Oscar admitted that he had taken the Collection bags and had been doing so for some time,” the bishop said in another letter, saying Diaz had read and approved the church’s statements about the thefts.

“I expressed to him my deep sadness, anger and dismay,” the bishop wrote, insisting he was “determined” to prosecute.

But police are reluctant to pursue the case, the diocese claims.

“After an initial investigation and several interviews, the police determined that the protocols surrounding collection accounting would make it difficult to arrive at sufficient proof of theft to pursue criminal prosecution,” Vasa told parishioners.

Instead, he claimed his public declarations about the case would leave him “suitably punished,” writing, “This exposure is probably more comprehensive than the exposure which a trial would bring.”

Fearing he would be accused of a “cover-up,” Vasa said he was exposing the full scandal, saying: “I will not hide this ugly truth.”

“This public declaration is a way in which Father Oscar can be made accountable for his actions,” he continued.

Vasa admitted that individual parishes could still press charges of their own, but said, “I would however advocate for mercy.”

On Monday, the Santa Rosa Police Department said it would be contacting the diocese again based on new information, according to KTVU.