Brazilian Robbers Take 9 Hostages After Failed Heist

Nine Brazilians have been taken as hostages, by a gang of bank robbers who are fleeing from police.

Around 02:00 local time, the gang hit a jewelry factory in Cotipora.

Quick reacting police arrived at the factory, and a shootout began.

Two officers were wounded and three robbers killed, during the shootout.

One of the dead robbers was Elisandro Falcao, the leader of the gang and most wanted man in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The rest of the gang made off into the forest, with their hostages.

Over two hundred local and federal police are now searching for them, in the surrounding areas.

Governor Tarso Genro said that the, "top priority is to make sure we rescue the hostages alive".

Falcao's gang had become infamous for using explosives to rob banks, shops, and other businesses, in the region.