Mangaluru: Eight associates of underworld operative Vikki Shetty have been arrested by the Central Crime Branch police near the Tannirbhavi beach, here on Wednesday.

The arrested are identified as Manoj Kumar (28), Raghavendra (30), Santosh Poojary (33), Bharatesh (30), Naveen (26), Sandhesh (29), Chetan (27) and Varneet Shetty (30), who were involved in several criminal cases.

Based on the tip-off that Vicky Shetty were plotting to rob a wealthy person near Tannirbavi as well as to kill Bharatesh, a resident of Bokkapatna who is an accused in the murder of rowdy Bejai Raja. The police raided the spot and nabbed eight persons.

Among the accused, Manoj and Naveen were involved in the murder of Simon Machado in Suratkal and Sandeep in Panambur.

Sandesh Karkera and Chetan were also involved in the Sandeep murder case, while Raghavendra was involved in the double murder of rowdy Murugesh and his relative Upendra in Kavoor.

Accused Bharatesh and Santosh Poojary are accused in assault and communal riot cases under Mangaluru rural police station.

The police have recovered four machetes, four other sharp weapons, eight mobile phones and Rs. 15,590.