And armed group attacked with explosives a bank branch in the town of Orangein the department of Alto Paraná, Paraguayduring the early hours of this Thursday. The incident left the office destroyed. Bancop and highlighted the security vulnerability in this border region with Brazil.
The assault, which occurred at 11:30 p.m. local time, was carried out by some ten individuals with long weapons and covered faceswho They arrived in vehicles shooting into the air before detonate an explosive charge that devastated the bank.
According to Edoard Schaffrathmayor of Naranjal, this is the first time that an event of this magnitude occurs in the city, which has barely six police officers to protect their 6,000 inhabitants.
“This was well planned” declared Schaffrath, who suggested that the criminals could have had local support.
The raiders They blocked two entrances to the municipality throwing “miguelito” nails to make persecution difficult and guarantee their escape.
According to an initial report from the Alto Paraná Police, The attackers accessed the bank’s vault and made off with considerable lootalthough the exact amount has not yet been determined.
In the place they remained scattered billssuggesting the magnitude of the theft.
Security cameras recorded the attack in detail. The images show how two vehiclesa white car and another gray, arrived at the scene and parked near a service station next to the bank.
A security guard was overpowered, beaten and forced to remain face down while the criminals planted the explosives. In just four minutes, the charge detonated, completely destroying the bank’s infrastructure.
After the explosion, At least three individuals entered the building amid the dust and smoke, while one of the vehicles backed away with the trunk open.presumably to load loot.
The operation, which lasted seven minutesconcluded with the group’s escape, leaving behind at least 50 “miguelito” nails at the exits and entrances of the city.
One of the vehicles used in the attack was found submerged in the waters of the Yñaro riverabout 20 kilometers from the scene, around 03:50 local time, according to the police statement.
This attack recalls a Similar incident occurred last April in the department of Itapuawhere an armed group robbed near $140,000 after attacking a branch of the National Development Bank (BNF).
The region, bordering Brazil and Argentina, has been the scene of multiple episodes of organized violence in recent months.
For its part, the local Naranjal Police assured not having heard the explosion or the shotssince the agents were on the main route escorting a transporter truck to prevent it from being assaulted by asphalt pirates.
