Attacks on Bank of Brazil and 3 armored cars in Sao Pedro
Criminals used rifles, explosives and luxury cars in the attacks, which took place between dawn and late Monday night (April 8, 2024). There was confrontation with the police, vehicle fire and streets were blocked.
Attacks on three cars and a bank branch in three different cities in less than 24 hours, followed by the arrest of two suspects and the death of a third in confrontation with the police. This is the balance of three serial crimes registered in the region of Piracicaba (SP) between dawn and late Monday night (8).
Monday morning (8): the agency of the Bank of Brazil of the city of Sao Pedro (SP) was attacked by a gang heavily armed with rifles and explosives. The unit was destroyed and were taken R$ 200 thousand by the gang, which he blocked streets and fired at police officers. There were no reports of injuries.
Late Monday afternoon: Two vaults were stolen on the Washington Luís Highway ( SP-310 ), in Cordeirópolis ( SP ), by assailants heavily armed and using explosive. The group failed to take the entire amount of money from the armored vehicle and abandoned a Hyundai Santa Fé vehicle and a Mitisubishi Out Land on the run. There was no record of injuries and the amount taken was not informed.
Beginning of Monday night: A new strong car attack occurs on the Luiz de Queiroz Highway (SP-304) in Piracicaba (SP), which it is frustrated after reaction from the vigilantes. On the run, the criminals abandon another burning Mitisubishi Out Land vehicle. The security vehicle guards were not injured, but blood stains were found at the scene.
Monday night's end: Police officers approach, on a toll road of the Bandeirantes Highway (SP-348) in Hortolandia (SP), the former military police Ritchie de Souza Lima. He is caught with "miguelitos" (used in leaks to cut tires). At his address, in Sumare (SP), in, another suspect dies after exchanging gunfire with police and R$ 110.1 thousand in cash, four rifles, ammunition, ballistic vests, explosives and other materials are seized. Appointed responsible for providing logistical support to the gang, Ritchie is arrested.
The police locate and arrest, in Indaiatuba (SP), Tarsio Rodrigo da Silva, suspected of being the explosive - operating the explosives used in the actions - of the group . According to police, he was already wanted by the courts for bank robberies and car-fort and was caught with a motorcycle of illegal origin.
The Hyundai Santa Fe vehicle used in the theft to the Bank of Brazil is seized in the city of Analandia, under indication of Ritchie. The car was the federal deputy Da Cunha (PP) and had been stolen in March in the capital.
According to the Civil Police, investigations will continue to identify the other members of the criminal organization. The corporation estimates that between 10 and 15 people assisted in the actions, due to the structure employed.
William Marchi, a divisional delegate from the Specialized Criminal Investigation Division (Deic) of Piracicaba, said there are "quite indications" that the same gang acted in the three crimes: the Bank of Brazil agency San Pedro (SP), on the Washington Luis Highway (SP-310), in Cordeiropolis (SP), and on the Luiz de Queiroz Highway (SP-304), in Piracicaba (SP).
