Koraput: Chandili police on Thursday arrested three persons in connection with the burglary at Penta Shiva Temple in Rayagada district and recovered three idols, cash and other articles allegedly stolen from the shrine. The burglary took place on the night of Aug 25 and came to light the following morning. Police said temple priest C H Nagaraju had performed puja around 10 am on Aug 25 before locking the temple and returning home. “When I returned on the morning of August 26, I found the lock of the main door broken. On entering the temple, I found that the idols and several puja articles were missing, said Nagaraju.During the probe, three suspects Manoj Durga (33) and Pavan Ganta (19), both from Nuapada, and Allu Harekrishna (35) of Amlabhata were arrested. During interrogation, the accused confessed to their involvement in the burglary. Based on their disclosure, the stolen idols and other articles were recovered, said IIC, Chandili police station, Uttam Sahu.The recovered items include a metal idol of Lord Shiva weighing 13.96 kg, a metal idol of goddess Parvati weighing 7.26 kg and a brass idol of Panchamukhi Naga weighing 5.62 kg. Police also recovered Rs 1,250 in cash and a white jerry bag, said Sahu.Broken brass and copper articles allegedly stolen from the temple were also recovered based on the disclosure of Manoj Durga, the IIC said. Police also seized a yellow auto-rickshaw and a motorcycle, allegedly used in the crime.