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Hostages, stolen money, roof invasion: What is known about the million-dollar bank robbery in Monte Alto, SP

Hostages, stolen money, roof invasion: What is known about the million-dollar bank robbery in Monte Alto, SP

Criminals who robbed a bank in Monte Alto, SP, had a modern communication system

Criminals who robbed a bank in Monte Alto, SP, had a modern communication system

As of the last update of this article, no suspects had been arrested.

Below, g1 shows what is known about the case.

The robbery took place around 9 a.m. last Friday at the branch located on Rua Jeremias de Paula Eduardo, in downtown Monte Alto . The city is 80 kilometers from Ribeirão Preto (SP).

Ropes used by the gang were found in the ceiling of one of the rooms.

According to the Civil Police, armed criminals entered the building through the roof and held 17 employees hostage. CCTV footage shows the victims being held hostage while another group takes money.

All employees were threatened and locked inside a room.

The operation lasted about 40 minutes, and the thieves managed to escape before authorities arrived. Police believe they had previously studied the bank's activities.

The employees were not injured and were released upon the arrival of police.

1 of 4 Thief collects money from Caixa during robbery in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Reproduction

Thief collects money from Caixa during robbery in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Reproduction

According to police chief Marcelo Lourenço dos Santos, the thieves managed to steal at least R$1 million . The money was in the safe and in the stocked ATMs.

The value may still be higher , according to the delegate, but only an accounting analysis by Caixa can indicate the correct amount.

How the group accessed the building

The main hypothesis is that the group accessed the bank's roof using the slab of a neighboring restaurant as support.

Businessman Felipe Luquez, the restaurant's owner, said employees arrived around 6 a.m. but didn't notice any activity. It wasn't until the police arrived that they found a rope at the back of the building.

"We were even surprised by the rope hanging there, which was likely tied before our work. For this to happen, they probably used a vacant lot behind the restaurant, climbed it, avoided breaking the electric fence, and used the restaurant's roof to throw another rope over the Caixa."

2 of 4 Rope hanging from the ceiling of a Caixa branch by thieves, in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Reproduction

Rope hanging from the ceiling of a Caixa branch by thieves, in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Reproduction

The vacant lot behind the bank may have facilitated the criminals' entry and escape. There's an electric fence behind the bank, but it's not working.

Drone footage shows thieves removing solar panels from the agency's roof and making a hole to gain entry.

"They may have entered through the attic in the early hours of the morning. This is their modus operandi: they enter through the attic with ropes—there are ropes in the place, actually—and from there, they hold the victims and employees hostage to get the valuables," he said.
How did the gang manage to escape?

According to the police chief, witnesses reported that the robbers were wearing masks, using electronic devices and communicating with people outside the agency.

3 of 4 A solar panel was removed from the roof of the Caixa branch in Monte Alto, SP, next to a restaurant — Photo: Jefferson Severiano Neves/EPTV

A solar panel was removed from the roof of the Caixa branch in Monte Alto, SP, next to a restaurant — Photo: Jefferson Severiano Neves/EPTV

Despite the siege and police support, including the Águia helicopter, they managed to escape . "They entered and exited through the roof, using ropes."

During the search for the suspects, agents of the Municipal Civil Guard (GCM) received a call from farmers warning about a car on fire in the rural area of Monte Alto, in a sugarcane field.

"They fled toward a neighborhood called Mutirão and likely went to get another car that was hidden. This is a common pattern: they go to a more secluded location, set fire to the car they were using, and then flee in another vehicle," the police chief said.

The flames in the car were extinguished by a plant's fire brigade. Forensic experts were called.

The branch targeted by the gang was temporarily closed, according to Caixa.

In a statement, the institution reported that it fully cooperates with the investigations conducted by the competent bodies and that information will be passed exclusively to the police authorities.

The bank also reported that it is providing the necessary support to the branch's employees.

Account holders at the agency can use Internet Banking, mobile applications and telephone numbers 4004 0104 (capitals and metropolitan regions) and 0800 104 0104 (other regions), as well as CAIXA Cidadão on number 0800 726 0207, for social services.

4 of 4 Caixa Econômica Federal branch in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Jefferson Severiano Neves/EPTV

Caixa Econômica Federal branch in Monte Alto, SP — Photo: Jefferson Severiano Neves/EPTV

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