PONDA: Ponda police on Tuesday arrested a gang of four, who were allegedly involved in looting drivers of inter-state trucks in Ponda taluka.

Two among them were overpowered by police after a hot chase of almost a half a kilometre into fields at Boma in the wee hours of Monday, while the other two were picked up from their homes.

Police gave their names as Vinayak Tulshidas Karbottkar, 23, a resident of Britona; Pradeep Yesso Bamaikar, 23, a resident of Karmali, Old Goa; Rihaz Shaikh, 34, from Muslim wadda, Boma and Manu Kumar, 19, from Borim, Shiroda.

A cash of Rs 1800, a mobile phone handset and some valuable documents were recovered from their possession. Five water coolers were also recovered from one of the accused.

Police acted swiftly based on a complaint lodged by a truck driver, Ram Bandari who fell prey to these looters on Monday. Accordingly, PSIs Mr Sachin Panalkar, Mr Sachin Lokre and Mr Tukaram Chavan along with the complainant drove to Boma in search of the accused. While on the way, two accused were spotted with a bike by the complainant, however on seeing the police jeep, the duo left the bike behind and ran into nearby fields.

However, they could not succeed in escaping from the clutches of the police who overpowered them after a hot chase, informed police inspector, Mr Patil. The other two were arrested by PSI Mr Laxi Amonkar and his team. Two Pulsar motorcycles (GA 03 F 1603) and (GA 05 A 1241) were also recovered from them.

Mr Patil said that the accused have confessed to more such offences and a case has been registered under Sections 394, (robbery) read with 34 (common intension) against them. They were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) on Wednesday and nine days police remand was taken. Further investigations are underway.