Gang robs millions in cash from Lufthansa plane

Thieves stole $5 million (€4 million) in cash from a Lufthansa airplane at freight airport near the city of Sao Paulo, Brazilian police said late on Monday.

Authorities are yet to arrest anyone in connection with the robbery, which occurred the day before.

What happened:

• The Lufthansa jet landed at Viracopos, Brazil's largest freight airport, from nearby Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo. The plane was stopping over before flying to Zurich, Switzerland.
• The robbers drove a pickup truck plastered with the logo of a local security company into the airport grounds.
• Five of the robbers held up guards from the security company Brinks, loaded the money on the truck and drove off, according to Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.
• The heist lasted six minutes and none of the guards were hurt.

Brazilian problem: Freight theft has risen in recent years in Brazil, particularly in and around the city of Rio de Janeiro. Most thieves have however targeted semi-trucks rather than airplanes.

amp/rt (AFP, Interfax)

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