Gang Steals US$36,000 in Electronics from Samsung in Campinas

07/08/2014 - 09h10

In a robbery characterized by police as daring, a criminal gang, experts in stealing cargo, made away with neatly R$80,000 (US $36,000) worth of electronic goods from the Samsung factory in Campinas in the early hours of Monday morning.

The thieves broke into the factory and took workers hostage for nearly three hours, while they stole nearly 40,000 electronic items such as smartphones and tablets. Nobody was hurt.

According to the police, the thieves entered the complex by hijacking a van that was taking workers to the factory. The security guards were forced to surrender, their weapons and communications devices were confiscated, and they were told to pretend to continue working as normal.

Immediately, another group entered the factory with seven trucks, which were loaded with the stolen goods.

The police believe that eight to ten people participated in the operation, while 200 people were held hostage. Samsung, however, says that there were only 100 workers in the factory at the time of the robbery.

The company did not provide details regarding the value of the products stolen - the estimate quoted here came from the police. In a statement, Samsung says it is "very concerned with this incident", and that it will cooperate with any investigations.

As well as the factory in Campinas, Samsung also has a plant in Manaus.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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