43,000+ global companies doing business in the region 102,000+ key contacts related to companies and projects news and interviews about your industry in English Log in for full access to stabroeknews.com Only one active session is allowed per subscriber (Reuters) – More than two dozen heavily-armed men stormed into the center of Guararema early on a recent morning rousing the Brazilian town’s residents with the sound of broken glass wearing bullet-proof vests and carrying several kilos of dynamite the gang pulled up in front of the town’s main police station It then set upon an adjoining branch of Banco do Brasil shattering its windows and doors with crowbars other gang members hit a Banco Santander Brasil branch two blocks away They detonated the dynamite in an attempt to blow up ATM machines and vaults in both banks Such attacks have become commonplace in Brazil: Last year an average of two banks or ATM machines were robbed every day mainly in small towns without a major police presence Each ATM has four boxes storing up to 2,700 bills apiece meaning one cash machine stuffed with 100-real bills can yield up to 1 million reais ($263,000) Bank robbers skilled with dynamite – working quickly – will often blow up several ATMs at each bank or go directly for their vaults Brazil’s banks have invested in anti-theft technology ranging from specialized ATMs to facial recognition cameras When that fails or the costs become prohibitive they have simply closed branches; as a result some towns no longer have easy access to financial services in a country that already has a higher proportion of “unbanked” residents than either China or India The rash of bank robberies reflects just one way in which widespread violence is taking a toll on Latin America’s largest economy pushing frustrated Brazilians to elect President Jair Bolsonaro in October on a promise to crack down on crime “Crime seeks opportunities,” said Rafael Alcadipani da Silveira a public security expert at the Getulio Vargas Foundation security in small towns is weak and bank raids seem like an easy crime to commit.” police pursued the gang to a nearby highway which spend $2.3 billion on security each year according to news reports and police records compiled by an association of private security workers does not capture the rising scale of heists like the one in Guararema Whereas criminals once knocked over individual ATMs in the street banks have now moved their machines into bank branches where robbers often blow open a whole row at a time — which only shows up as a single attack The shift in tactics illustrates how criminal gangs are adjusting to added security measures by banks business and operation director at bank industry association Febraban “These measures are short-lived because attacks are always changing in nature cost roughly double those in the United States That reflects the price of tamper-resistant technologies including explosion-resistant safes ink that stains bills when cash machines are dynamited and an average of 10 specialized sensors to respond to attacks — all of which drives up costs “Brazilian ATMs are so robust that if the country was bombed in a war only cockroaches and ATMs would be left,” said Vilaim Other contermeasures include ear-piercing sirens strobe lights and even fog machines traditionally used at night clubs And Brazilian lender Itaú Unibanco Holding is investing in cameras that can identify thieves even when they use disguises Then there is the ultimate deterrent: shuttering a town’s branch altogether – an increasingly frequent solution that is leaving a growing number of small Brazilian towns without a single bank or ATM Some 200 towns that had at least one branch as recently as 2016 now have none at all That is sometimes the result of normal cost cutting but in many cases a direct result of multiple robberies at the same branch Closures have left some towns with no source of cash prompting several local prosecutors to file suits against the banks “The main complaint in those cities comes from merchants so it affects the local economy,” said Glauber Tatagiba The southeastern Brazilian town of Minduri forcing its 4,000 residents to travel 22 kilometers (14 miles) to São Vicente de Minas to withdraw funds thieves blasted the ATM in São Vicente de Minas so customers had to head 33 km in the other direction to the nearest bank in Cruzilia whose own branch had only recently reopened after an explosion “It is tough situation especially for pensioners who have to travel to withdraw money as few merchants take cards here,” said Minduri municipal administrator Lucas Magalhães What sets Brazil apart from other regions where ATMs are targeted along with Brazilians’ explosive of choice explosive gas is usually used to blow up ATMs But Brazil’s gangs have shown a taste for dynamite usually stolen from mines and construction sites One dynamite stick strategically placed in a cash machine can send thousands of bank bills flying within seconds as the thieves carefully put together gangs of at least 10 people Gangs are equipped with high-powered military gear often including tactical bulletproof vests who heads the anti-bank robbery task force in São Paulo Even if the thieves’ equipment is second-hand or stolen the price tag for such an arsenal would run around 400,000 reais Many police departments don’t have the resources to compete they assign specific jobs to perform during what typically amounts to a four-minute robbery Some scatter metal road spikes to pierce the tires of police cars while others specialize in opening the cash machines and inserting dynamite “ATM bombing is just the tip of the iceberg Thieves usually start by robbing banks and later on use the proceeds to finance drug trafficking in a move they see as career development,” said commissioner Santos A FREE roundup of top news from Guyana you might otherwise miss Although they have lost their tourist appeal over the years there are still options for those wishing to embark on a rail journey in our state Travel back in time, explore breathtaking landscapes and experience the rich history of the state of São Paulo on board different compositions but there are still options for train rides in São Paulo From historical tours, aboard a steam engine, to adventures in the middle of the nature you can embark on unforgettable journeys on the state’s railroads So get ready to be enchanted by paths that wind through the Atlantic Forest historic towns and the beauty of the Serra da Mantiqueira 🎫 From R$ 50 at official website 📍Immigration Museum: Rua Visconde de Parnaíba This is because the steam locomotive travels along a 25 km route You can also enjoy a complete experience with breakfast or lunch on board 🎫 From R$ 50 at official website 📍Anhumas station: Avenida Doutor Antônio Duarte Conceição the company’s packages include special menus and guided tours in Itu and Salto 🎫From R$ 105 at official website itu Railway Station: Praça Doutor Gaspar Ricardo This historical and cultural tour aboard a themed train is an initiative of the ‘Associação Sorocabana – Movimento de Preservação Ferroviária’ (Sorocabana Association – Railway Preservation Movement) such as Railwaymen’s Day on April 27 The journey begins at the Paula Souza Station and continues to the Santa Maria Factory where the public also takes part in a guided tour of the Municipal Weaving Historical Park.  🎫 From R$ 17,50 at official website 📍 D outor Paula Souza Station: Rua Doutor Paula Souza Sundays and public holidays at various times 📍Emílio Ribas station : Avenida Emílio Ribas 🎫 from R$ 90 at official website or box office guararema Central Station : Rua Doutor Falcão 📍The train station varies according to the tour you choose Brazilian police have killed 11 armed robbers as part of a 25-strong gang who stormed banks in five armoured cars on the outskirts of Sao Paulo the gangsters laid explosives to try and blow open ATMs at banks in Guararema The police rushed to the scene to find them laying bombs by ATM machines at one of the bank branches next door to a police station The news follows Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's claims he would be tough on crime stating in his election campaign: 'We need to be really tough on crime to make criminals understand that they won't enjoy impunity.'   Their robberies began at around 4am in the centre of the city and surveillance footage captured masked men walking up to the banks and breaking windows with the butts of their rifles The police rushed to the scene of the loud disturbances taking place in the city and the men sped off in their modified cars The 11 dead men were shot during a hail of fire on a highway on the outskirts of the city and a reinforced Hyundai was left shredded by bullets No police officers were killed or wounded in the incident and three suspects were arrested - the rest of the robbers escaped Police told Globo TV that two others fled an armoured Subaru and ran towards nearby woodland. One was killed as he dashed towards the trees at the side of the road, while the second died after taking hostages in an apartment. The occupier, Vanderleia Vicente Gomes, told the broadcaster: 'He started to knock on the door and asked my husband to open it.' She was with her husband and mother-in-law and said the gunman told her husband, 'Open, there's a boy here who's a hostage, if you do not open it, I'll kill him.' The gunman took them all hostage, along with the concierge and when police arrived he refused to surrender. He was killed in a brief exchange of fire, Globo reported.  Other members of the 25-strong gang were able to escape through rural roads.  Police said agents chased the criminals through Guararema, a city of about 28,000 people 50 miles north of Sao Paulo. The statement said the agents seized seven assault weapons, four pistols, explosives and bulletproof vests.  Banks Santander and Banco do Brasil did not inform whether any amounts had been stolen from their branches. Images obtained by TV Globo showed the two bank branches with their windows smashed.  New Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, who has pledged to crack down on crime with violence if needed, said the officers involved in the shooting are to be celebrated. 'Criminals who use shotguns, assault weapons and machine guns are not out for a stroll. They were out to rob and create victims,' Doria told GloboNews. 'I congratulate the policemen who acted and put more criminals in the cemetery.' Doria supported pro-gun far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in October's election.  Bolsonaro celebrated the policemen later on Thursday for their 'quick and efficient action' in Guararema. 'Eleven criminals were killed and no innocents were wounded. Good job!' he wrote.  Crime is rife in Brazil, where more than 60,000 people died in violence last year. The country's police have long been accused of extra-judicial killings and violence. The modified cars used by the criminals are reminiscent of the Fast and Furious Hollywood movie franchise which depicts brazen chases in cars which are often altered to withstand gunfire. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150... Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami... after glam women made a rookie maritime... How Meghan's biggest cheerleader brokered Harry's disastrous BBC interview - three months after... 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