Eight accused allegedly involved in breaking three ATMs and looting Rs 30 lakh were today detained under Goondas Act.

Police had arrested the accused, after a long chase in nearby Salem, when they were trying to go to their native place in three vehicles with the booty in December.

In view of their involvement in similar cases in North India, the city Police Commissioner ordered their detention under Goondas Act, which was served on them in the Central Jail here, police said

While three hail from Rajasthan, three were from Haryana and one each from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

The robbers are Zulfikar, Mustaq, Mausa Khan, Subair, Amitkumar, Mubarak, Ameen and Subair.