Puttur: Puttur police have arrested an eight member interstate gang of thieves, thereby busting a major theft racket on September 4, Tuesday.

The arrested are Mohammad Hussainar, Abdul Karim alias Salim, MS Monu, Mohammad Ansar, Mohammad Soofi, Ibrahim alias Ibbi and Ashraf.

Police informed that they were wanted in theft in two co-operative banks, two houses, a rubber society office and a post office in Puttur.

The police had initially arrested Hussainar on Sunday and the revelations made by him during interrogations helped in tracking down the other thieves.

The gang was wanted in connection with the theft in Thaneerupantha Sahakari Bank at Karaya in Belthangady  and Kanakamajalu Cooperative Bank. It had also stolen rubber sheets from a Rubber Society, at Ujire. It is learnt they were responsible for theft of jewellery worth Rs 2.5 lakh from a house at Panakaje last month.