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Brazil gang takes nine hostages after failed robbery Brazil gang takes nine hostages after failed robbery
(about 4 hours later)
Some 200 policemen in southern Brazil are chasing an armed gang that has taken nine hostages with them after a failed attempt to rob a jewellery factory.Some 200 policemen in southern Brazil are chasing an armed gang that has taken nine hostages with them after a failed attempt to rob a jewellery factory.
The alleged leader of the gang, Elisandro Falcao, and two other men were killed in a shootout with police.The alleged leader of the gang, Elisandro Falcao, and two other men were killed in a shootout with police.
He was the most wanted man in Rio Grande do Sul state.He was the most wanted man in Rio Grande do Sul state.
The criminal gang specialised in the use of explosives to rob banks, cash point machines and shops in the region.The criminal gang specialised in the use of explosives to rob banks, cash point machines and shops in the region.
"Our top priority is to make sure we rescue the hostages alive," said state governor Tarso Genro."Our top priority is to make sure we rescue the hostages alive," said state governor Tarso Genro.
Police officers are searching the forests and rural areas around the city of Cotipora, where the jewellery factory is located. Police officers say they have sealed off the forests and rural areas around the city of Cotipora, where the jewellery factory is located, and are conducting a thorough search.
Other policemen from an elite force have been deployed in other cities across the state. Other officers from an elite police force have been deployed in other cities across the state.
The heavily-armed gang began its attempted heist in Cotipora at 02:00 local time (04:00 GMT) .The heavily-armed gang began its attempted heist in Cotipora at 02:00 local time (04:00 GMT) .
Police had been tipped off of a possible robbery in the area, and reacted quickly. Two officers were hurt in the shootout. Police said the robbers used dynamite to blow open the doors of the factory but were confronted by police - who had been tipped off - as they made their escape.
The surviving gang members escaped, taking local residents - including a child - as hostages. "There was an intense firefight. Three assailants died and two police were injured," an unnamed police official told reporters.
As they made their escape, the surviving attackers split into two groups. One abducted two people who were in a bar and the other broke into a home and took away seven people, including a child, apparently all members of the same family.
Police say they have recovered part of the loot, but gave no figure for its value.
Mr Genro said that helicopters and special operations teams with sniffer dogs were taking part in the search.
Cotipora is in the heart of Brazil's gem-cutting industry specialising in semi-precious stones such as topaz, aquamarine and amethyst.