Brazil robbers dig tunnel into bank

PIC: Brazil police during an operation. (AFP)

ODD NEWS | BRAZIL

Brazilian robbers dug a nearly 2,000 feet (600 meters) tunnel in a daring attempt to rob a bank in Sao Paulo, where they hoped to steal millions of dollars, police said.

After a three-month operation, police nabbed 16 suspects late Monday. They swooped just before the alleged gang was able to use its impressively equipped tunnel to enter the safe at a Banco do Brasil branch in the country's financial capital.

According to the authorities, the men said they were after one billion reais, or about $317 million.

"It would have been the world's biggest heist," said police chief Fabio Pinheiro Lopes on Globo television.

Police said work on the tunnel began four months ago, starting from a house several blocks from the bank. It had sophisticated supports, fans and light.