Banks are the target of a mega-robbery in Paraguay in an orchestrated action involving more than 20 criminals Paraguayan authorities are investigating the participation of Brazilians in the mega-robbery that hit three financial institutions and an exchange office in the early hours of Tuesday (16), in Santa Rita, Paraguay. The suspicion arose after witnesses reported hearing members of the gang speaking in Portuguese during the action. “There was a lot of shouting and orders to lie down on the ground, more and more shots and bombs [...] They spoke Portuguese, clearly, and said: ‘lay down on the ground’”, said a witness who did not want to be identified. ✅ Follow g1 Foz do Iguaçu on WhatsApp According to the head of the Tripartite Command, Carlos Alberto Dure Rios, the main line of investigation points to the joint action of Brazilians and Paraguayans specialized in this type of crime. "These are people who work in Paraguay, Brazilians together with Paraguayans, to carry out this type of action. Some live in Paraguay", he stated. A Paraguayan police officer reported that authorities are investigating whether those involved have links to criminal organizations. "We have clear suspicions of people of Brazilian nationality. We will conduct the investigation to identify each one of them [...] Due to the way the attack was carried out and the use of explosives, we believe that members of the PCC may be involved", said Luis Lopez, from the Department against Organized Crime. Santa Rita is approximately 70 kilometers from Foz do Iguaçu, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, and is home to a large community of Brazilians and descendants who live or maintain economic activities in the region. Until the last update of this report, no one had been arrested. Armed criminals rob banks in Paraguay National Police Robbers attacked three banks and a currency exchange office According to investigations, more than 20 criminals participated in the attack. The group used large-caliber weapons and explosives to attack Banco Familiar and Banco GNB branches. The robbers also broke into a Banco Ueno unit and an exchange office. Information gathered by RPC, a TV Globo affiliate in Paraná, indicates that the Paraguayan press considers the action to be the second biggest robbery ever recorded in the country. According to the Paraguayan National Police, the action was planned to hinder any reaction by the security forces. During the attack, four police officers who were patrolling were surrounded by criminals. One of the agents had his weapon and a company rifle stolen. The other police officers managed to take cover and shots were exchanged. Bank branches were destroyed National Police While escaping, the assailants set fire to vehicles in different parts of the city and spread "miguelitos" — devices with metal spikes used to puncture tires — on the main access roads. So far, authorities have not disclosed the amount taken by the group. According to Carlos Alberto Dure Rios, the damage is estimated at millions of guaranis. The National Police of Paraguay issued a capture alert for teams from Alto Paraná, Caazapá, Caaguazú and Itapúa. Investigative, criminalistics teams and the Paraguayan Public Ministry participate in the searches. Also read: Homicide: 14-year-old teenager is found dead and half-naked in a forest area in Paraná Cousins missing for more than a month: police search in new city Hit by branch in Curitiba: 22-year-old suffers serious injuries INFOGRAPHIC - Mega-robbery in Paraguay. Art/g1 VIDEOS: Most watched on g1 Paraná Read more news on g1 Oeste and Sudoeste.