Armed Robbers Attack Brazilian City, Police Say

Armed males attacked a southeast Brazilian city very early Tuesday, burglarizing financial institution branches, hijacking as well as capturing at the very least 2 individuals, according to the mayor as well as the cops.

An armed forces cops leader stated a policeman was amongst those fired. Their problem was not right away clear.

The siege started prior to twelve o’clock at night Monday as well as proceeded right into Tuesday early morning, lasting regarding a hr. Clésio Salvaro, the mayor of Criciúma, said in a post on Twitter prior to 2 a.m. neighborhood time that the city, which gets on the Atlantic coastline, was under fire, as well as got locals to remain at house.

“Criciúma is the target of a major assault,” he composed. “Together with the military authorities and security forces, we continue to monitor and follow the facts. Stay at home.”

Mr. Salvaro informed Radio Gaúcha that 3 or 4 websites had actually been robbed by males he called “bandits.”

“I have no idea where they are from, but they are specialized,” he stated. “We have never experienced this in the history of the city.”

Mr. Salvaro included that regarding 6 individuals had actually been hijacked, however they were later freed. “I talked to them. They are well. The information we have is that everyone was released,” Mr. Salvaro said in an interview with GloboNews, the biggest information electrical outlet in Brazil.

He stated that the city’s method was not to fire back at the opponents, in order to secure the populace. He additionally stated the cops prepared to adhere to the outlaws in order to get the cash. He did not state just how much had actually been taken.

Around 6 on Tuesday early morning, 4 individuals thought to be associated with the break-in had actually been jailed, as well as the cops had actually recuperated several of the cash the opponents had actually taken, local reports stated.

Residents on social networks reported listening to loud shooting, according to Globo. Video video footage online revealed individuals grabbing what appeared to be cash off the streets. On Twitter, others reported that the opponents had bazookas as well as bombs as well as were establishing fire to structures, in what they referred to as a scene looking like a scary movie.

The Military Police of Santa Catarina — a state company with many squadrons — were hired as well as were looking for supports to challenge the team, according to neighborhood records.

Cristian Dimitri Andrade, a Military Police leader in Criciúma, informed press reporters that the opponents were “several men with rifles, long weapons,” as well as defined them as “an organized crime gang, which specializes in bank robbery.” He stated 2 individuals, consisting of a policeman, had actually been fired.

“We are receiving information from residents who send us photos and videos,” he informed Engeplus, a neighborhood information electrical outlet.

The cops might not right away be grabbed remark.

Criciúma, with a populace of greater than 133,000 since 2010, remains in the state of Santa Catarina as well as is thought about the facility of Brazil’s ceramic as well as flooring ceramic tile market.

Bank burglaries in Brazil, which has amongst the most awful criminal offense as well as murder prices on the planet, are barely unusual. In current years, gangs have actually tried to dig their means to millions via passages, have actually detonated dynamite to rob financial institution branches as well as have actually exploded atm in efforts to remove cash.

Yan Zhuang added coverage.