Police said the trio, who were travelling by a Karnataka state road transport corporation bus, were arrested at Hasanur in Erode district yesterday during a vehicle check, as they were found to possess 178 sovereigns of gold ornaments without proper documents.
One of them, identified as Riyazudeen, was working as driver in the shop and was the prime suspect, police said.
On receipt of information, Coimbatore crime branch personnel rushed to the spot and took Riyazudeen, F Azarudeen and P Vijayakumar into custody.
Police said the trio were nabbed during a check for liquor bottles, which were being smuggled from Karnataka and they instead stumbled on the stolen ornaments.
The trio, who were brought to the city, reportedly confessed that they committed the crime as they wanted to lead a luxurious life.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content