The police on Tuesday arrested four persons and recovered three panchaloha idols, stolen from the Draupadi Amman temple at Vallam.
On a tip-off, Additional Director-General of Police, Economic Offences Wing and Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Idol Wing, Pon Manickavel, constituted a team.
It intercepted a car and arrested Arumugam, 31, Siva, 27, Selvam, 35, and Senthil Kumar, 45, all from Panruti taluk.
They reportedly stole the idols on June 19 and were planning to sell them for Rs. 20 lakh.
They were produced before a magistrate, who remanded them in judicial custody.
They have been lodged in the Puzhal central prison.