RIO DE JANEIRO, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Five people, including a military police officer, were killed Tuesday night in a high-speed chase and an intense shootout in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, local authorities said Wednesday.

The Military Police said the chase began after officers identified a vehicle believed to be used by a gang involved in car thefts.

The suspects ignored orders to stop and opened fire on the officers as they fled through several streets of the city, the Military Police said.

The exchange of gunfire continued throughout the chase until the suspects' vehicle was intercepted.

Four suspects and one military police officer were killed in the confrontation. Another officer was wounded and receiving medical treatment.

Security forces said they seized firearms during the operation. The case has been turned over to the Civil Police. ■