Mulki : The DCIB police have arrested five persons on the charge of demanding protection money from a businessman.

It is said that a call demanding the money was made to a businessman on March 13 and a case was registered at Brahmavar police station.

A police team from the District Crime Intelligence Bureau, which investigated the case, arrested three persons in Bengaluru on March 21.

They were identified as Shashi Poojary, 28, Ravichandra Poojary, 30, and Dhanraj Poojary, 26.

Based on their information, the team also arrested Dhanraj Salian, 30, at Malpe, and Ullas Shenoy, 27, here on March 22.

All the five accused are accomplices of the don, Bannanje Raja.

They had formed a syndicate and were threatening businessmen and builders here and demanding protection money from them.

Cases against them have been registered in Mangaluru North, Mangaluru East, Barke, Urwa, Ullal, Manipal and Malpe police stations, the release said.

Those getting calls demanding protection money should immediately contact the nearest police station or the Police Control Room on 0820-2526444, the release added.