The DEIC (State Criminal Investigation Board) of the Santa Catarina Civil Police confirmed that the attempted robbery of the Banco do Brasil branch in the Santa Cecilia Midwest municipality of Santa Catarina was a sneaker theft. The action of the criminals took place in the afternoon of this Monday (6).

The robbery attempt took place this Monday afternoon (6). – Photo: Rádio Alvorada FM/Reproduction/ND

According to DEIC delegate Anselmo Cruz, shoe theft is one of the most common in relation to banks and is carried out by extorting bank employees.

“The criminals took the manager, his wife and two daughters from the family home. While they were holding his wife and daughters captive, they put an alleged explosive device on him and told him to go to the agency to collect the money,” the delegate explained.

Military police and civilian police teams are looking for the perpetrators. – Photo: Rádio Alvorada FM/Reproduction/ND

Cruz said a DEIC team flew out of Florianopolis by helicopter to investigate information about a gang with an alleged explosive device planted in the man’s body.

“For security reasons, the territory adjacent to the shore has been cordoned off. We made sure that it was not a real explosive, but an imitation that was dismantled, ensuring everyone’s safety,” he specified.

The delegate further reported that during the abduction, the wife and daughters were released and the perpetrators fled without taking any money with them. The suspects are still at large, and more than 40 civilian police officers, supported by two helicopters, are working to find them. The event also involves PM (military police) teams, which are still ongoing.

Groups of civilian and military police are on the scene. – Video: Lusimara Nascimento/Disclosure/ND