01/02/2023 – The São Paulo police arrested five criminals who robbed residences in upscale neighborhoods. The tranquility of the group during the actions, recorded by security circuits, surprised the authorities. The gang had been active for at least three months and observed targets every day. Criminals wore gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints and took valuables from the residences.
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02/02/2023 – A taxi driver was stabbed after an attempted robbery in downtown São Paulo. The victim was standing waiting for passengers when he was approached by a couple saying they wanted a ride to the West Side. Along the way, the man pulled out a knife and announced the robbery. When the taxi driver reacted, he was hit in the back. To escape the couple, the taxi driver reversed the car. The criminals fled.
02/02/2023 – Military police prevented a robbery and arrested two criminals in a convenience store in the West Zone. The two criminals who were committing the crime when police officers on patrol became suspicious and went to investigate. Having confirmed that it was a robbery, they arrested the two criminals.
03/02/2023 – A 28-year-old businesswoman was found dead inside her car on Avenida Arquiteto Vilanova Artigas, in Sapopemba, East Zone. According to the Military Police, the woman was located with a cut on her neck and punctures in her stomach. A witness who was passing through the area was surprised by the presence of the car parked on the sidewalk for a long time and called the police. When officers arrived, they also triggered the Fire Department, which found the victim’s death at the scene. Police arrested a friend and a driver on suspicion of the crime.
06/02/2023 – A man died after scheduling a date with a woman through a relationship app. He was surprised by criminals and shot, on Rua Máximo Barbosa, in Jardim Taipas, North Zone. The man went to the address in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of the alleged woman. Moments later, the victim was approached by two criminals who announced the robbery. The victim tried to react and accelerated the vehicle, when one of them shot.
07/02/2023 – A digital influencer’s cell phone stolen on Avenida Paulista, downtown São Paulo. Criminals stole unlocked cell phone while she was using it, so they got access to all apps.
08/02/2023 – A group was arrested, and hostages were released during an attempt to rob a bank branch, in Vila Mariana, West Zone. The Military Police were called at 08:38 to Rua Domingos de Morais, where the police located the first person involved outside the branch. Teams carried out the siege and, upon entering the bank, found three other criminals taking five employees as hostages. The group surrendered the employees and removed their belongings, such as cell phones and wallets. The vigilante’s gun was also taken by the men.
10/02/2023 – A clash between organized supporters of Corinthians and Palmeiras on Avenida das Juntas Provisórias and Avenida do Estado, in the Ipiranga neighborhood, South Zone, left two people seriously injured. In several posts and reports on social media, fans said it would have been an ambush by the Palmeiras organized supporters. A bus with Corinthians fans was stoned and practically destroyed.
11/02/2023 – A man was shot in the belly while reacting to a robbery in Morumbi, West Zone. Security camera footage shows criminals entering through the gate of the house without difficulty. Upon hearing a noise, the criminals hurried to leave. At this time, the owner comes out with a gun in his hand and shoots. The bandits retaliated and he is hit.
12/02/2023 – A bar employee was shot three times in the head after defending a waitress who was being harassed by a customer, on Rua Cavazzola, in Itaim Bibi, West Zone. According to the harassment victim, she was serving several customers when a man grabbed her. After the harassment episode, the woman went to her supervisor and reported what happened. After requests to leave, the man responsible for the harassment accepted the decision, but one of his friends refused. A short time later the suspect returned armed and shot the man he believed was responsible for the eviction.
15/02/2023 – An elderly woman was attacked by a criminal during a robbery at a newsstand, in Vila Mariana, South Zone. She was cleaning the place when the bandit overtook her and threw her under the counter. The criminal still served customers while holding the lady hostage and stealing products.
22/02/2023 – A 38-year-old American man was the victim of a love scam in the Jardim Princesa neighborhood, North Zone. The man suffered a kidnapping attempt after making a date with a woman on a dating app. Upon arriving at the meeting point, the woman started texting and said she would be ready in a few minutes. The man became suspicious and returned to the car. At this moment, he was approached by four armed criminals. A military police officer passing by the scene reacted and went after the men who got scared and released the victim. Three of them managed to escape, but one was arrested.
22/02/2023 – A couple was forced to kneel during a robbery in the Aclimação neighborhood, South Zone. A security camera recorded the moment when the criminal parked his motorcycle in front of a house on Rua Espírito Santo and approached a couple walking along the sidewalk. The criminal shows the gun and orders the two to kneel. The thief asks for the ring, but the man has difficulty taking it off, so the suspect decides to take his cell phone and force him to pass the password. The criminal insists on taking the woman’s wedding ring, then returns to the motorcycle and flees the scene.
TRENDS & ADVICE
- Stay away from any protest most likely to occur in the city center, including Avenida Paulista, the MASP, Praça do Ciclista, Praça da Sé, Largo da Batata and Praça da Republica.
- Monitor the local media in order to circumvent protest locations, including social media.
- If caught in a demonstration: remain still and take the time to see which way the crowd is going; attempt to leave the area by going against the movement of the crowd; avoid using your mobile phone, taking pictures or filming the demonstration; go to the nearest building as soon as possible and wait until the situation clears; try to avoid contact with security forces if possible.
- Considering the high crime rate in São Paulo, business travelers and expatriates should comply with safety rules in order to reduce the risk linked to violent crime. In case of an assault, it is strictly recommended not to resist the attackers and avoid making any sharp movement that may irritate the assailants, who do not hesitate to open fire.
- Avoid, if possible, circulating through the neighborhoods in the East Zone due to the high rates of various crimes.
- Pay attention when trying to meet new people on the internet as criminals use the dating app and social networks to apply scams.
- Due to several police operations, drug users previously concentrated in a region called “Cracolândia” have spread across downtown, leading to an increase in petty crimes. Hence, avoid walking around with your cell phone in your hand, in addition to wearing jewels and expensive watches.
- The number of express kidnappings has increased lately due to a new method (PIX) that allows people to easily transfer money using bank apps. Cooperate in order to mitigate the risk of violence.
- Attention to the windows when inside a vehicle. Keep them closed, as criminals use heavy traffic to rob passengers that expose valuables.
- Keep in mind useful numbers: Emergency police number (190), and São Paulo tourist Police (+55 11 3120 4447).