Heavily armed thieves attempt raid in Brazilian city

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A group of criminals with high-powered rifles have stormed a small city in Brazil’s southern Parana state, attempting a brazen robbery and engaging police in a shootout. Roughly 30 criminals were targeting an armored vehicle transport company, and three people were injured, including two police officers, according to a statement from Parana state. The criminals fled the city without succesfully completing the robbery. The robbers attacked a police battalion in Guarapuava, a city of 184,000 people, and set a large fire at its gate in an effort to prevent security forces from responding. Brazil has witnessed several well-coordinated robberies in recent years exhibiting a similar modus operandi.