Mangalore : The Bajpe police have arrested three inter-state cattle thieves from Madadka, Beltangady here on July 2.

The accused have stolen over 1,000 cows in the last one and half years. Another 5 persons from the group are absconding police said.

Mohammed Ashfaq alias Badavara bandhu (25) of Jokatte, Nisar (25) of Neerupade and Ummar Farooq (28) of Maddadka in Belthangady were arrested by the police. Nisar of Addoor arrested on July 1.

The police sources said, the accused have several similar cases in at Karkala, Beltangady, Uppinangady, Sullia, Hosangady, Mudigere, Kadur, Teertahalli and other places.

They had stolen cattle from the cattle shed at Kuppepadavu by threatening a family member’s show off lethal weapons, sources said.

The Police also seized a Tata Sumo and an Alto car from them in which the back seats were removed in order to transport the cattle.

The accused were produced before the court which remanded them to 15 days judicial custody.