Bank robbers strapped hostages to the top of their getaway vehicles after a raid in the southern Brazilian city of Araçatuba.  Police said that at least three people were killed, among them one suspect. Officials said more than 20 people took part in the heist, blocking off roads with burning vehicles and placing explosive devices across the city. Large-scale bank robberies have become more frequent in recent years, with hostages used as human shields. Initial reports had put the number of assailants at more than 50 but that number has since been revised down to between 15 and 20. Lieutenant Alexandre Guedes of the Military Police told GloboNews that one man was killed by the gang when they found him filming them. A woman and a suspect were killed in a stand-off with police outside the city as gang members tried to make their escape, officials said. (BBC)…[+]