A gang under investigation for at least three bank robberies in Itajaí, on the north coast of Santa Catarina, was the target of a civilian police operation this Thursday (1st). Six people were arrested, including a person appointed as the head of the organization.

Weapons, including rifles, and masks used in the robberies, in addition to cash, were also seized by the police. Orders were executed in Itajai, Balneario Camboriu, Camboriu, Tijucas and San José.

Anti-bank robbery operation in Itajai confiscated weapons, mask and arrested 6 people – Photo: Civil Police/Disclosure/ND

crimes

The operation investigated three bank branch robberies in Itajai between July 2021 and February 2022, as well as an attempted robbery of a Brusca branch in July 2022.

The robberies took place at offices in Praia Brava, San Vicente and Itaipava. According to delegate Eduardo Ferras, the same working method In three robberies, he attracted the attention of the police: three people with pistols and long guns attacked branches at the beginning of the working day, breaking windows with sledgehammers.

In addition to money, the robbers took firearms and body armor. In the three robberies committed, according to police, the robbers took about half a million reais.

Guns and masks to be used in gang robberies – Photo: Civil Police/Disclosure/ND

seized items

Police issued six arrest warrants this Thursday, and a seventh person was arrested red-handed for illegal possession of a firearm. Another prisoner was also prosecuted for resisting and another for using a forged document.

A rifle, a .380 revolver and two pistols were seized, as well as five imitation firearms and a mask used in the robbery. More than 5,000 reais were also seized, in addition to electronic devices, vehicles, bills and forged documents.

In the first phase of the operation, in July 2022, three preventive arrest warrants and eight search warrants were issued, with the seizure of two 5.56 caliber rifles, two pistols, a CTT .40 carbine, a fire protection kit, ballistic vests and tactical equipment. .

The prisoners were charged with crimes of qualified theft and criminal association, directed to the penitentiary system.

The operation was supported by more than 80 police officers from the police stations in Brusca, San José, Navegantes, Barra Velha, Pizarras and Peña, the DPCami (Delegation for the Protection of Children, Adolescents, Women and the Elderly) Itajai, in addition to the Itajai military police battalion groups , Balneario Camboriu and Camboriu.

remember the robberies