Brazilian bank robbers tied hostages to their escape cars as “human shields” in a conspiracy plot that saw criminals also planting bombs across the city to help them escape.
Shocking video shows the victims tied to the roofs and hoods of ten cars after early Monday thieves with heavy weapons went to three different banks in the city of Aracatuba.
Another video showed a man, believed to be a hostage, standing through the roof of a car with his arms in the air.
Citing police, local media G1 reported that three people died, but the causes of these deaths were not disclosed.
At least four people were injured, including three who had been shot several times.
In addition to the human shields, police say the criminals planted explosives at 14 different points in the city to deter authorities as they fled.
Military police said the explosives had sensors that would detonate if anyone approached them.
A 25-year-old man on a bicycle had his legs exploded after firing one of the explosives as he passed by, police told the local premises.
The thieves also set fire to four vehicles, including a bus, while fleeing for distraction.
More than 20 people took part in the robberies. The criminals used drones to control the police as the thefts unfolded.
Araçatuba Mayor Dilador Borges told CNN that police continued to hunt down thieves after fleeing the camp.
He said police were forced to withdraw while the deadly events unfolded because they feared more people would be killed.
Security forces have taken control of the city after the test.
