During Carnival days, the Military Police (PM) arrested more than 400 people throughout the state of Rio. According to the corporation, 43 of them had outstanding arrest warrants. For the party days, the PM announced that 14,000 agents would be on the streets for the security scheme. In addition to the arrests, 190 objects were seized in megablocks made in downtown Rio de Janeiro, including even nails and scalpels. In the largest parades, 24 blocking and search points were set up on the main access roads. The seized materials, according to the PM, could be used to commit crimes, or in fights between revelers. In addition, between Friday (02/17) and Wednesday (02/22), 60 weapons were seized in the blocks, including 5 rifles, 2 pistols, 19 revolvers, 11 grenades and 04 shotguns. At Marquês de Sapucaí, 19 sharp objects were seized, including penknives and scissors.
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In the last quarter of 2022, vehicle theft skyrocketed in the State of Rio, increasing, in this period, 39% compared to the previous year. The biggest jump was in November, of 55%, rising from 1,616 cases to 2,547, in an approximate average of seven stolen cars per day. With the vehicle in hand, criminals use various strategies to make a profit, whether by reselling parts, “cloning” the car or demanding an amount to return the car, charging a kind of ransom. In the latter, it is common for bandits to settle the payment for Pix, made to the current account of gang members.
11/02/2022 – The Federal Police arrested a 28-year-old man who was transporting approximately 10 kg of cocaine at Galeão International Airport, in the neighborhood of Ilha do Governador, North Zone. The man, from Amapá, intended to board a commercial flight with a stopover in Lisbon, Portugal, but with final destination in Maputo, Mozambique. The drug was hidden inside packages of cosmetics and moisturizers, which would be dispatched with the passenger’s luggage.
12/02/2023 – Two men were shot in the head in Padre Miguel, West Zone of the city. At 23:35, the Campinho Fire Department was called to attend to two men shot in the head on Rua Toronto. According to witnesses, a man fired the shots and fled the scene. The crime will be investigated by the Capital Homicide Police Station.
12/02/2022 – A man was hit in the stomach by a rubber bullet fired by a police officer after a fight during a parade in Ilha do Governador, North Zone. In videos that circulate on the internet, it is possible to see military police (PM) officers near a vehicle and people close to them. A young man appears talking to a PM and raises his hands as he speaks. The officer then shoots, hitting him with a rubber bullet in the belly, less than two meters away.
13/02/2023 – A military police officer was shot dead on Rua Hélio do Amaral, in Realengo, West Zone. According to witnesses, a car parked in front of the PM’s car, and the occupants waited for the military to come down from the apartment to work. Three hooded men armed with rifles descended and executed the officer.
14/02/2023 – An elderly woman was the victim of the crime “saidinha de banco” (leaving the bank) inside the building where she works in Copacabana, South Zone. The criminal chased her from the bank into the building and announced the robbery before she entered the elevator. R$ 4,500 were stolen. Security cameras in the building caught the man’s action. In the images, you can see the moment he enters through the gate with the woman, who does not notice the action.
15/02/2023 – The Civil Police and the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) started Operation Ligação Direta, against the resale of stolen iPhones in Rio. Eight people have already been arrested. According to investigations, the robbers acted in downtown Rio and stole about 160 devices per month. These iPhones were sold there or advertised on internet as if they were original. The gang also had credit card machines and delivered the phones at busy points, such as subway stations, with a counterfeit Apple invoice. But when buyers tried to turn on the phone, they found that it was locked.
15/02/2023 – Police officers closed down a clandestine real estate sales center in downtown Rio. The center, called Truly Offices, operated in a building on Rua São José. Forty people who worked at the site were taken to the police station. According to the delegate, criminals impersonated brokers and deceived both owners – who wanted to sell their properties – and customers. When customers paid the first installments, the office moved and the employees disappeared.
22/02/2023 – A criminal was arrested after taking a family hostage on Rua Marangá, in Praça Seca, West Zone, to try to escape from the Military Police. Police were called after the suspect threatened residents. The man was arrested, and the family was released unharmed. With him, a gun, a charger, a homemade explosive device, ammunition, and a radio communicator were seized.
23/02/2023 – Rio Civil Police arrested a man who pretended to be a masseuse to sexually harass digital influencers. He approached the victims through social networks and proposed a partnership: in exchange for his services, they would have to post pictures of him to promote his profile. Before starting services, he asked the victims to stay in a bikini or even naked. As soon as the massage was started, the abuse also began: the criminal would rub his hands on the women’s private parts and rub his penis on their buttocks. The criminal was arrested in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone, for sexually abusing at least seven women.
