Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Months of ATM Heists Leave Brazilians Short on Cash

Five current or former police officers were arrested, more suspected

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 1, 2011 8:57 AM CDT

(AP) – Brazilian police have arrested nearly 30 people in connection with a series of ATM heists that have left some poorer parts of Sao Paulo with scant access to cash. Five current or former police officers were arrested in yesterday's sting, and investigators suspect another two dozen police could be involved. Around 60 of the banking machines have been blown up, torched, or otherwise broken into in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area in recent months.

Residents in poorer areas of the city, where there are few if any bank branches, now have few means of getting cash, especially as businesses that kept ATM machines on their premises have gotten rid of them for fear of attracting heists. Police didn't say how much money has been stolen.

A series of ATM heists that have left some poorer parts of Sao Paulo with scant access to cash. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

38%

13%

50%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Actor Playing Judas Hangs Himself During Play

Brazilian dies after Good Friday accident

(AP) - A Brazilian actor playing Judas who accidentally hanged himself during a scene in "The Passion of Christ" has died. A hospital in Brazil's Sao Paulo state confirms on its website the death of 27-year-old Tiago Klimeck. An autopsy is being performed today following his death the previous day. The actor had been in a coma since the accident on Good Friday earlier this month in the city of Itarare. More»

Brazilian Teen's Ride: Pink, Sporty, Bulletproof

In Sao Paulo, armoring a car is as much about status as protection

(NEWSER) - Sao Paulo, Brazil, is known as the armored car capital of the world, and for good reason, the Wall Street Journal reports. Brazil's murder rate is 5 times the rate in the US, and the wealthy are historically at risk for kidnapping. Add to that a recent influx of wealth, and you get all kinds, from a teen with an armored VW Beetle in pink—“it’s a very pretty and expressive color”—to the businessman with a nondescript bulletproof cab: “something very strong and very unseen.” More»

Museum Tells Brazil's Story in 10,000 Voices

Oral history project offers unadulterated look at sprawling nation

(NEWSER) - Most historical museums focus on the rich and powerful, but in sprawling Sao Paulo, an uncommon museum tells the story of Brazil from the perspective of more than 10,000 ordinary citizens. The Museum of the Person gathers the stories of a barber, a coconut breaker, a convicted felon, and thousands more in an oral history that offers new perspectives on the largest country in South America, reports the Wall Street Journal. More»

Booming Brazil Nabs A-List Ad Campaigns

From SJP to Richard Gere, American stars making pitches in Rio

(NEWSER) - If you want proof that the Brazilian economy is on fire, look no further than the TV ads. While Sarah Jessica Parker professes her love for a Sao Paulo mall, Richard Gere promotes hair care products in dubious Portuguese. What's made the influx of American stars possible, writes Bloomberg, is Brazil's booming currency—the real has been the biggest gainer of the world's most traded currencies for 4 years straight. More»

Brazil Thieves Nab 2 Picassos

Second time in weeks that Sao Paulo criminals have stolen Pablo's work

(NEWSER) - Picasso remains the artist of choice for the criminal elite of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Three armed robbers made off with two of his prints—The Painter and the Model and Minotaur, Drinker and Women—from a city museum today, Reuters reports. The robbery comes just weeks after thieves nabbed Picasso's Suzanne Bloch painting from a different city museum. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Months of ATM Heists Leave Brazilians Short on Cash

Five current or former police officers were arrested, more suspected

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

ATMs • Brazil • Sao Paulo • heist

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Actor Playing Judas Hangs Himself During Play

Brazilian dies after Good Friday accident

Brazilian Teen's Ride: Pink, Sporty, Bulletproof

In Sao Paulo, armoring a car is as much about status as protection

Museum Tells Brazil's Story in 10,000 Voices

Oral history project offers unadulterated look at sprawling nation

Booming Brazil Nabs A-List Ad Campaigns

From SJP to Richard Gere, American stars making pitches in Rio

Brazil Thieves Nab 2 Picassos

Second time in weeks that Sao Paulo criminals have stolen Pablo's work

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?