A gang who threatened motorcyclists with violence and stole their vehicles, even throwing one victim from a bridge, has been caught, police said yesterday.

The gang stole three motorcycles and cash last month, police said. The value of the vehicles was estimated at about 10,000 yuan (US$1,472).

A recent case involved a man, surnamed Zheng, who used his motor tricycle as an illegal cab. Three of the gang, pretending to be passengers, stole his tricycle, beat him up and threw him off a bridge, police said.

The robbery happened about 11pm on August 27, police said, when the suspects hailed Zheng's tricycle in the Baihe area of Qingpu District.

Police said the suspects picked a route where the streets were dark and remote.

Near the intersection of Anzhi Road and Xitang Road, Zheng was attacked.

Zheng fell on to a garbage dump beneath the bridge and escaped with bruises.

Police said they found a man surnamed Li, who purchased motorcycles, and soon caught the rest of the gang. Chen Zechun, Shi Wujian, Duan Dinghua and Yao Xunmao, stole motorcycles and sold them to Li.