RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (BDCi) – Thirty people were robbed at gunpoint while on a mountain hike at Pedra da Gavea in Tijuca forest Sunday morning.
Gunshots were exchanged between the thieves and an off-duty policeman who happened to be nearby.
About thirty people, in separate small groups, went on an early-morning excursion to watch the sun rise on Sunday. At certain points along the trail, they were robbed at gunpoint by three hooded thieves.
The first robbery was at the top, where the thieves surprised the hikers when they shot bullets into the air, taunting “Game over!”
The thieves slowly made their way down the trail, holding up victims along the way and taking their mobile phones, watches, documents, cameras and cash.
Inspector Gabriel Martins, from the Special Resources Coordination office, was in civilian clothing while practicing base-jumping when he heard cries of a group of victims. He exchanged gunfire with the robbers, who temporarily took a hostage.
The hostage was released when the robbers fled the scene. No one was injured in the shooting.
By: Natania Levine Courtesy: riotimesonline.com Photo: tripadvisor.com 27 February 2012
10:33 a.m P.S.T