Brazil deploys national force to crack down on gang attacks in northeast

Police helicopters and Brazil's national force are deployed in Natal to crack down on gangs accused of torching vehicles, shooting up buildings and sowing terror in four nights of attacks on dozens of northeastern cities.

One suspect was killed and 17 arrested in the crackdown on the attacks, which authorities say have been organized by jailed gang leaders as a protest against prison conditions and new restrictions on their activities from behind bars.  

More than 40 cities have been hit by the wave of violence. Investigators suspect one of Brazil's most powerful organized crime groups, the First Capital Command (PCC), of involvement in the attacks.