Banks are target of mega-heist in Paraguay in action orchestrated with more than 20 criminals The Paraguayan authorities investigate the participation of Brazilians in the mega-heist that hit three financial institutions and a currency exchange office in the early hours of this Tuesday (16), in Santa Rita, Paraguay. The suspicion arose after witnesses reported having heard members of the gang speaking in Portuguese during the action. “There was a lot of shouting and they ordered us to lie on the floor, more and more shots and bombs [...] They spoke Portuguese, clearly, and they said: ‘lie on the floor’”, said a witness who did not want to be identified. ✅ Follow g1 Foz do Iguaçu on WhatsApp According to the head of the Tripartite Command, Carlos Alberto Dure Rios, the main line of investigation points to the joint action of Brazilians and Paraguayans specialized in this type of crime. “They are people who operate in Paraguay, Brazilians together with Paraguayans, to carry out this type of action.
Some live in Paraguay”, he stated. A Paraguayan police officer reported that the authorities are investigating whether those involved have links to criminal organizations. “We have clear suspicions of people of Brazilian nationality. We will conduct the investigation to identify each one of them [...] Due to the way the attack was executed and the use of explosives, we believe there may be involvement of members of the PCC”, stated Luis Lopez, from the Department against Organized Crime. Santa Rita is about 70 kilometers from Foz do Iguaçu, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, and is home to a large community of Brazilians and descendants who live or maintain economic activities in the region. Until the last update of this report, no one had been arrested. Armed criminals rob banks in Paraguay National Police Robbers attacked three banks and a currency exchange office According to the investigations, more than 20 criminals participated in the attack.
The group used large-caliber weapons and explosives to attack the branches of Banco Familiar and Banco GNB. The robbers also invaded a unit of Banco Ueno and a currency exchange office. Information obtained by RPC, an affiliate of TV Globo in Paraná, indicates that the Paraguayan press considers the action the second largest heist ever recorded in the country. According to the National Police of Paraguay, the action was planned to hinder any reaction from security forces.
During the attack, four police officers who were patrolling were surrounded by the criminals. One of the agents had his weapon and a rifle from the corporation stolen.
The other police officers managed to take cover and there was an exchange of gunfire. Bank branches were destroyed National Police In the escape, the robbers set fire to vehicles in different parts of the city and spread "miguelitos" — artifacts with metal spikes used to puncture tires — on the main access roads. So far, the authorities have not released the amount taken by the group. According to Carlos Alberto Dure Rios, the loss is estimated in millions of guaranis. The National Police of Paraguay issued a capture alert for teams from Alto Paraná, Caazapá, Caaguazú, and Itapúa.
Investigation teams, forensics, and the Paraguayan Public Ministry are participating in the searches. Read also: Homicide: 14-year-old teenager is found dead and semi-naked in a wooded area in Paraná Cousins missing for over a month: police carry out searches in new city Hit by a branch in Curitiba: 22-year-old young woman suffers serious injuries INFOGRAPHIC - Mega-heist in Paraguay. Art/g1 VIDEOS: Most watched from g1 Paraná Read more news on g1 West and Southwest.
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