Koraput: Police in Rayagada district on Tuesday arrested five members of an inter-state gang involved in a series of thefts across multiple locations. The accused have been identified as Asraful Sheikh from West Bengal and Samir Sheikh, Shikh Babu, Mohammad Alamin, and Mohammad Roni Shikh, all residents of Chhattisgarh.“The gang was linked to at least three recent house burglaries. Our investigation revealed they primarily targeted locked homes during late-night hours, while posing as scrap dealers during the day to scout for potential targets,” said KKBK Kanhar, IIC of Rayagada Town police station.A large cache of stolen items was recovered from the accused at the time of arrest. These include four silver anklets, eight silver rings, four silver bangles, one silver coin, two silver beads, a silver box, a silver spoon, a flower vase, a cup, a tray, and a plate. Police also seized 22 foreign currency notes, three wristwatches, a necklace, and Rs 29,000 cash from them.Police recovered tools used by the gang to break locks. The accused were found residing in rented accommodations near Jagannath Temple slum in Rayagada town, he added.