Laurêncio Francisco da Silva, known in different reports as “Véio Laurêncio,” “Veio Lourenço” or “Loro,” became a notable name in investigations into organized bank robberies in Brazil. Authorities in several states linked him to the criminal model commonly known as “Novo Cangaço,” a term used in Brazil to describe highly organized attacks against financial institutions, often involving coordinated groups operating across state borders.
Born in Jataí, Goiás, Laurêncio established criminal connections in several Brazilian states, particularly Mato Grosso and Goiás. His name appeared in judicial proceedings and police investigations involving robberies, extortion and attacks against financial targets. By the mid-2010s, authorities considered him a fugitive wanted in multiple states.
His criminal history included a conviction of 38 years of imprisonment in Mato Grosso, according to reports published when he was arrested in Goiás in 2016. At that time, the Mato Grosso Civil Police described him as a repeat offender involved in several robberies committed in different parts of the country.
One of the cases associated with Laurêncio dated back to a bank robbery in Poconé, Mato Grosso. According to police reports, he had previously been arrested in connection with that case. Other investigations connected him to crimes involving financial institutions and organized groups operating in different states.
In December 2016, police in Goiás arrested Laurêncio in Goiânia while he was wanted by authorities from several Brazilian states. Investigators said he was using false identification and was with other people who were also arrested. The operation became another chapter in the long-running investigations surrounding his activities.
At the time, authorities in Mato Grosso described Laurêncio as an important figure in investigations into the “Novo Cangaço.” Police records and contemporary reporting associated him with organized attacks against banks and automated banking facilities, as well as other serious offenses. These descriptions should be distinguished between convictions already established by courts and allegations contained in investigations.
Laurêncio's name also appeared in proceedings in Rondônia. A judicial decision from the state describes his participation in a group investigated for crimes against property and records evidence presented during the proceedings. The case illustrates the interstate nature of the investigations surrounding groups associated with this type of organized robbery.
In 2023, after becoming a fugitive again, Laurêncio was located in Aparecida de Goiânia, in the metropolitan region of Goiás. Police were preparing to execute a warrant against him when the confrontation occurred. According to the Military Police, Laurêncio fired at officers during the attempted arrest, and he was fatally wounded in the subsequent exchange. He died at the scene despite emergency medical assistance.
Reports published after his death stated that he was wanted in several states, including Goiás, Alagoas, Rondônia, Pará and Mato Grosso. Authorities also said that investigations had connected him to robberies involving banks and other high-value targets.
Laurêncio's story reflects one of the defining characteristics of Brazil's “Novo Cangaço”: criminal groups operating across state boundaries and repeatedly appearing in investigations conducted by different police forces. His criminal record, interstate fugitive status and repeated appearances in cases involving organized robberies made him a recurring name in Brazilian crime reporting during the 2000s and 2010s.
Because Laurêncio died in 2023, subsequent allegations against him could not result in new criminal convictions. His established judicial record should therefore be distinguished from investigations in which authorities suspected his participation but which did not culminate in a final judgment against him.
SOURCES
Globo — JA 1ª Edição
Laurêncio Francisco da Silva and the 2023 confrontation in Goiás
HiperNotícias
Laurêncio Francisco da Silva and the investigations into “Novo Cangaço”
Mais Goiás
Death of Laurêncio Francisco da Silva in Aparecida de Goiânia
Tribunal de Justiça de Rondônia
Judicial proceedings involving Laurêncio Francisco da Silva
Polícia Judiciária Civil de Mato Grosso
2016 arrest and investigations involving Laurêncio
