Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 48: “Novo Cangaço” Style Urban Raid in Guarapuava, Paraná (PR), Brazil
John P. Sullivan, José de Arimatéia da Cruz, and Robert J. Bunker
A gang of about 30 armed criminals attacked an armored car company’s place of business in Guarapuava, Paraná (PR) at approximately 2200 hours (10 PM), Sunday 17 April 2022. The quadrilha (gang) used “Novo Cangaço” tactics, including explosives, blockades, and the use of hostages as “human shields.” They directly confronted police in the early stages of the robbery/assault to inhibit their response activities.
Weapon recovered in aftermath of Guarapuava robbery/assault.
Source: Segurança Pública do Paraná.
Key Information: Fábio Pescarini and Cristina Camargo, “Exército usa blindado para proteger instalações durante ataque em Guarapuava (PR); veja.” Folha de S. Paulo. 18 April 2022, https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2022/04/exercito-usa-blindado-para-proteger-instalacoes-durante-ataque-em-guarapuava-pr-veja.shtml:
O Exercito usou um veícul blindado para garantir a segurança de instalações militares em Guarapuava (PR), na madrugada dests segunda-feira (18), durante ataque de um bando a uma empresa de transporte de valores na cidade.
Por volta das 22h deste domingo, cerca de 30 criminosos armados atiraram contra um batalhāo de Polícia Militar, incendiaram carros e fizeram reféns. Os ataques prosseguiram durante a madrugada. Dois policiais forma baleados.[1]
Key Information: “Quadrilha usou carros blindados e fuzis em ataque em Guarapuava (PR).” UOL Notícias. 18 April 2022, https://www.band.uol.com.br/noticias/quadrilha-usou-carros-blindados-e-fuzis-em-ataque-a-guarapuava-pr-16506482:
A Polícia Civil do Paraná apreendeu sete carros blindados e armamentos pesados e de uso restrito usados no ataque contra a transportadora de valores Proforte em Guarapuava, no interior do Paraná, na noite deste domingo (17).
Horas após o ataque, foi confirmada a localização de 12 veículos usados pelos bandidos, alguns blindados e quatro deles queimados e usados como barreiras pelos criminosos, além de nove armas, entre elas, pistolas 9 mm com seletor de rajada, um carregador de AK-47, munições, capacetes e coletes balísticos, balaclavas, facas, celulares e lanternas, placas de veículo frias e R$ 1,4 mil em espécie. Entre o armamento usado, estavam fuzis calibre 12 e submetralhadoras .50, com capacidade 600 tiros por minuto e capazes de perfurar blindagens e até aeronaves. Esse mesmo tipo de arma foi usada no assalto ao aeroporto de Viracopos, em Campinas, onde aproximadamente R$ 2 milhões foram roubados em 2019.[2]
Key Information: “Buscas por suspeitos de ataque a empresa de valores em Guarapuava entram no segundo dia.” G1 (Globo). 19 April 2022, https://g1.globo.com/pr/campos-gerais-sul/noticia/2022/04/19/buscas-por-suspeitos-de-ataque-a-empresa-de-valores-em-guarapuava-entram-no-segundo-dia.ghtml:
Forças de segurança continuam as buscas por suspeitos de um ataque a uma empresa de valores, em Guarapuava, na região central do Paraná, nesta terça-feira (19)…
A tentativa de assalto aconteceu entre a noite de domingo (17) e madrugada de segunda-feira (18). Dois policiais e um morador da cidade ficaram feridos. Mais de 30 criminosos fugiram sem levar nada.[3]
Key Information: Michelle Souza, “Ataque em Guarapuava (PR): suspeito é liberado após 5 horas de depoimento. UOL Notícias. 19 April 2022, https://www.band.uol.com.br/noticias/ataque-em-guarapuava-suspeito-e-liberado-apos-depoimento-16506579:
Como foi o ataque em Guarapuava
Uma quadrilha de cerca de 30 criminosos fortemente armados atacou a transportadora de valores Proforte e causou pânico na cidade de Guarapuava, interior do Paraná. A ação, realizada no estilo “novo cangaço”, começou por volta das 22h do domingo (17) e durou cerca de quatro horas.
Os assaltantes fizeram bloqueios em vias e atiraram contra o Batalhão da Polícia Militar da cidade. Além disso, cortaram parte do fornecimento de energia do município e espalharam carros e caminhões em diversos pontos para impedir a chegada de equipes da PM e da Polícia Rodoviária Federal. Alguns veículos foram incendiados e moradores foram usados como reféns e até “escudos humanos”.[4]
Third Generation Gangs Analysis
An armed gang conducted a “Novo Cangaço” style attack against an armored car company—Proforte S/A Transporte De Valores—in Guarapuava, Paraná (PR), on Sunday, 17 April 2022. The attack included armed assault (with rifles), the use of explosives, blockades involving burned-out vehicles, hostages used as “human shields,” and direct confrontation with police. Police from the Batalhão de Polícia Militar (16º BPM)/16th Military Police Battalion (16th BPM) reacted and confronted the group for some hours while the incident was in progress.[5]
Over 200 Polícia Militar (military police), Polícia Civil (civil police), and forensic specialists (peritos da Polícia Científica) responded using aircraft, ground vehicles, and canine (K-9) units to detect the offenders. Two police sustained injuries from gunfire during the response to the robbery/attack. Police recovered 12 vehicles (including four which were burned-out and used as blockades), three .50 caliber weapons, a 7.62 caliber rifle, four 5.56 caliber weapons, at least one rifle scope, magazines, and ammunition. Other equipment seized included four ballistic helmets and two ballistic vests, as well as first aid kits and cell phones.[6]
These attacks follow the template of ‘urban bank raid’ tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) known as the “Novo Cangaço” (New Cangaço) and reminiscent of Brazil’s historic banditry of the 1920s–1930s. The criminal organization behind this well-planned attack has not been publicly identified. However, a suspect linked to it was arrested on 9 May 2022 in the city of Hortolândia, northwest of São Paulo, which is about 400 miles away. The Guarapuava (PR) robbery/assault may be tied to the same undisclosed criminal group involved in the similar December 2020 Criciúma (SC; Santa Catarina) and August 2021 Araçatuba (SP; São Paulo) incidents.[7] However, suspicions exist that the criminal group involved in this sequence of mega robberies may be the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), aka First Capital Command.
A component of this paramilitary-like criminal operation which is cause for additional concern is the use of possibly up to 7 improvised armored vehicles in the incident. It is unclear if the ‘armored cars’ that were seized by the authorities initially belonged to Proforte, the target of the incident, or as some reports suggest were organic to the invading criminal assault group.[8] The criminal commando was said to have split into two forces, one which went off to pin down what would be the responding police battalion while the other directly assaulted the Proforte company’s place of business.[9] If the latter were the case, it would represent an evolution in “Novo Cangaço” TTPs with the use of their own organic armored vehicles to help counter the response capabilities of Brazilian state authorities. Regardless, the mayor of Guarapuava described the attack as a “state of war” on an interview with a local radio outlet.[10]
Rifles recovered in aftermath of Guarapuava robbery/assault.
Source: Segurança Pública do Paraná.
Sources
“Buscas por suspeitos de ataque a empresa de valores em Guarapuava entram no segundo dia.” G1 (Globo).19 April 2022, https://g1.globo.com/pr/campos-gerais-sul/noticia/2022/04/19/buscas-por-suspeitos-de-ataque-a-empresa-de-valores-em-guarapuava-entram-no-segundo-dia.ghtml.
Fábio Pescarini and Cristina Camargo, “Exército usa blindado para proteger instalações durante ataque em Guarapuava (PR); veja.” Folha de S. Paulo. 18 April 2022, https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2022/04/exercito-usa-blindado-para-proteger-instalacoes-durante-ataque-em-guarapuava-pr-veja.shtml.
“FOTOS E VÍDEOS: ataque de assaltantes aterroriza moradores em Guarapuava.” G1 (Globo). 18 April 2022, https://g1.globo.com/pr/campos-gerais-sul/noticia/2022/04/18/fotos-e-videos-ataque-de-assaltantes-aterroriza-moradores-em-guarapuava.ghtml.
“Quadrilha usou carros blindados e fuzis em ataque em Guarapuava (PR).” UOL Notícias. 18 April 2022, https://www.band.uol.com.br/noticias/quadrilha-usou-carros-blindados-e-fuzis-em-ataque-a-guarapuava-pr-16506482.
“Segurança Pública do Paraná reforça buscas em Guarapuava e encaminha homem suspeito de auxiliar quadrilha.” Secretaria da Segurança Pública, Governo do Estado de Paraná (Brasil). 18 April 2022, https://www.seguranca.pr.gov.br/Noticia/Seguranca-Publica-do-Parana-reforca-buscas-em-Guarapuava-e-encaminha-homem-suspeito-de.
Michelle Souza, “Ataque em Guarapuava (PR): suspeito é liberado após 5 horas de depoimento. UOL Notícias. 19 April 2022, https://www.band.uol.com.br/noticias/ataque-em-guarapuava-suspeito-e-liberado-apos-depoimento-16506579.
Endnotes
[1] In English, the title reads: Army uses armored car to protect facilities during attack in Guarapuava (PR); watch.” The text reads: “The Army used an armored vehicle to secure military installations in Guarapuava (PR), in the early hours of Monday (18), during an attack by a gang on a cash transportation company in the city. […] Around 10 pm this Sunday [17 April], about 30 armed criminals fired on a Military Police battalion, set fire to cars and took hostages. The attacks continued into the early morning hours. Two policemen were shot.”
[2] In English, the title reads: “Gang used armored cars and rifles in attack in Guarapuava (PR). The text reads: “The Civil Police of Paraná seized seven armored cars and heavy armaments and restricted-use weapons used in the attack against the Proforte cash transportation company in Guarapuava, in the interior of Paraná, on Sunday night (17). […] Hours after the attack, it was confirmed the location of 12 vehicles used by the bandits, some armored and four of them burned and used as barriers by criminals, in addition to nine weapons, including 9mm pistols with a blast selector, an AK-47 charger, ammunition, helmets and vests, balaclavas, knives, cell phones and flashlights, cold license plates, and R$ 1,400 in cash. Among the weapons used were 12 caliber rifles and .50 submachine guns [sic], with a capacity of 600 shots per minute and capable of piercing armor and even aircraft. This same type of weapon was used in the assault on the Viracopos airport in Campinas, where approximately R$ 2 million was stolen in 2019.” N.B. The news report mentioned .50 caliber submachine guns (submetralhadoras) it is likely this is a misstatement and they were .50 caliber rifles.
[3] In English, the title reads: “Search for suspects in attack on securities firm in Guarapuava enters second day.” The text reads: “Security forces continue the search for suspects in an attack on a security company in Guarapuava, in central Paraná, on Tuesday (19). […] The attempted robbery happened between Sunday night (17) and early Monday morning (18). Two policemen and a resident of the city were injured. More than 30 criminals fled without taking anything.”
[4] In English, the title reads: “Attack in Guarapuava (PR): suspect is released after 5 hours of testimony.” The text reads: “How the attack happened in Guarapuava […] A gang of about 30 heavily armed criminals attacked the Proforte cash transportation company and caused panic in the city of Guarapuava, in the interior of Paraná. The action, carried out in the ‘new cangaço’ style, started around 10 pm on Sunday (17) and lasted for about four hours. […] The robbers blockaded roads and shot at the city's Military Police Battalion. In addition, they cut off part of the city's energy supply and scattered cars and trucks at various points to prevent the arrival of Military Police and Federal Highway Police teams. Some vehicles were set on fire and residents were used as hostages and even ‘human shields.’”
[5] “Segurança Pública do Paraná reforça buscas em Guarapuava e encaminha homem suspeito de auxiliar quadrilha.” Secretaria da Segurança Pública, Governo do Estado de Paraná (Brasil). 18 April 2022, https://www.seguranca.pr.gov.br/Noticia/Seguranca-Publica-do-Parana-reforca-buscas-em-Guarapuava-e-encaminha-homem-suspeito-de.
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Police arrest in the interior of SP suspected of robbery in Guarapuava (PR).” Postsen. 9 May 2022, https://brazil.postsen.com/news/7797/Police-arrest-in-the-interior-of-SP-suspected-of-robbery-in-Guarapuava-PR.html.
[8] Some precedent exists. In the April 2017 Ciudad del Este, Paraguay “mega-robbery” five armored trucks—presumably belonging to the targeted armored car company—were utilized in the criminal gang’s escape. See, John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 4: Brigands, Bank Robbery, and Brazilian Gang Evolution at Ciudad del Este and the Triple Frontier.” Small Wars Journal. 26 May 2017, https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/third-generation-gangs-strategic-note-no-4.
[9] Op. cit., “Police arrest in the interior of SP suspected of robbery in Guarapuava (PR)” at Note 7.
[10] “Quadrilha usou carros blindados e fuzis em ataque em Guarapuava (PR).” UOL Notícias. 18 April 2022, https://www.band.uol.com.br/noticias/quadrilha-usou-carros-blindados-e-fuzis-em-ataque-a-guarapuava-pr-16506482.
For Additional Reading
John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker, Eds., Competition in Order and Progress: Criminal Insurgencies and Governance in Brazil. Bloomington: Xlibris, March 2022.
John P. Sullivan, José de Arimatéia da Cruz, and Robert J. Bunker, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 42: Brazilian Gangs Utilize Human Shields, Explosives, and Drones in a New ‘Cangaço’ Style Urban Bank Raid in Araçatuba, São Paulo.” Small Wars Journal. 5 September 2021.
John P. Sullivan, José de Arimatéia da Cruz, and Robert J. Bunker, “Third Generation Gangs Strategic Note No. 33: Brazilian Gangs (Quadrilhas) Wage Urban Bank Raids in a New ‘Cangaço’.” Small Wars Journal. 2 December 2020.
John P. Sullivan and Robert J. Bunker, Eds., Strategic Notes on Third Generation Gangs. Bloomington: Xlibris, 2020.
About the Author(s)
Dr. John P. Sullivan was a career police officer. He is an honorably retired lieutenant with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, specializing in emergency operations, transit policing, counterterrorism, and intelligence. He is currently an Instructor in the Safe Communities Institute (SCI) at the Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California. Sullivan received a lifetime achievement award from the National Fusion Center Association in November 2018 for his contributions to the national network of intelligence fusion centers. He completed the CREATE Executive Program in Counter-Terrorism at the University of Southern California and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the College of William and Mary, a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis from the New School for Social Research, and a PhD from the Open University of Catalonia (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya). His doctoral thesis was “Mexico’s Drug War: Cartels, Gangs, Sovereignty and the Network State.” He can be reached at [email protected].
Dr. José de Arimatéia da Cruz is a Professor of International Relations and International Studies at Georgia Southern University, Savannah, GA. He also is a Research Fellow of the Brazil Research Unit at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs in Washington, DC.
Dr. Robert J. Bunker is Director of Research and Analysis, C/O Futures, LLC, and an Instructor at the Safe Communities Institute (SCI) at the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy. He holds university degrees in political science, government, social science, anthropology-geography, behavioral science, and history and has undertaken hundreds of hours of counterterrorism training. Past professional associations include Minerva Chair at the Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College and Futurist in Residence, Training and Development Division, Behavioral Science Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy, Quantico. Dr. Bunker has well over 500 publications—including about 40 books as co-author, editor, and co-editor—and can be reached at [email protected].