A recent wave of robberies followed by murders, many of which were filmed and shared on social media, has drawn attention to the rising incidence of this type of crime in São Paulo. The increase poses a challenge for law enforcement, as solving such cases is often difficult. Additionally, this category of crime has historically been one of the most feared by the public.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
Most Recent Case
One of the latest incidents occurred on Thursday morning (13/03), when José Domingos da Silva, 48, a traffic agent for CET (Traffic Engineering Company), was killed while working in Vila Sônia, in the west of the city. The crime was captured by the body camera he was wearing. The footage shows the moment a criminal arrives on a motorcycle, points a gun at José, and demands his belongings. The agent resists and is shot multiple times. The assailant then flees the scene.
Other Cases
On January 23, consultant Vitor Rocha e Silva, 23, was shot dead in Pinheiros after he and his boyfriend fought back against a robbery while walking to lunch. During the struggle with the assailant, a second criminal arrived on a motorcycle and shot Vitor. Twenty days later, in Itaim Bibi, cyclist Vitor Medrado, 46, was murdered next to Parque do Povo while using his cell phone. Security footage shows two men on a motorcycle approaching; before even dismounting, one of them shoots Medrado, knocking him to the ground. The assailant then searches the wounded victim, takes his cell phone, and flees.
Increase in Cases
In 2024, 53 people were murdered in robbery-related crimes in São Paulo, ten more than in 2023, according to official data. In January 2025, four deaths were recorded, compared to seven in the same month last year.
Harder to Investigate
Solving robbery-related homicides is often more complex than identifying perpetrators of other murders. In most homicide cases, there is usually some connection between the victim and the perpetrator. However, in street robberies, the criminals and victims are strangers, making investigations particularly challenging. Judge Ivana David, from the São Paulo Court of Justice, described the situation as alarming, stating that “we are approaching a reality where homicide follows robbery as if life were completely disposable.” She also pointed out that many of these crimes involve young offenders and teenagers, and that stolen cell phones play a crucial role in organized crime, with many devices being smuggled out of Brazil.
Government Response
In response, São Paulo’s Public Security Secretariat, under Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), announced that preventive and visible policing efforts are being redirected to increase patrols and reduce crime rates in high-risk areas. Simultaneously, authorities are intensifying the use of technology in police intelligence work to dismantle criminal networks involved in robbery, fencing operations, and international trafficking of stolen devices, key drivers of property crimes.
Criminal Arrested
The Civil Police of São Paulo arrested on Wednesday (19/03) Jeferson de Souza Jesus, identified as the driver of the motorcycle used in the robbery in which cyclist Vitor Medrado was killed, on 13 February, in front of Parque do Povo, in Itaim Bibi, West Zone of São Paulo. According to the police, the arrest of Jesus, known as Gordo da Paraisópolis, was made by members of the State Department of Criminal Investigations (Deic).
Analysis:
The increase in robbery-related homicides in São Paulo reflects a shift in criminal behavior, where violence is becoming an immediate response even in situations where victims do not resist. The brutal nature of these crimes, often recorded and shared on social media, intensifies public fear and puts pressure on authorities. Investigating these cases is particularly challenging since victims and perpetrators are often strangers, requiring advanced intelligence work to track down criminals and dismantle the networks that facilitate the sale of stolen goods, particularly smartphones that are frequently trafficked internationally.
To prevent this type of violence from becoming a persistent trend, São Paulo’s security strategy must go beyond reactive policing and focus on disrupting the economic incentives behind robbery-related murders. Strengthening cooperation between law enforcement, financial institutions, and telecommunications companies can help reduce the market for stolen goods, while targeted interventions in vulnerable communities can curb the recruitment of young offenders. Without a systemic approach, the city risks seeing this cycle of violence intensify, further undermining public safety and trust in security policies.
Sources: A Folha de SP [1], [2]; Agência Brasil; O Globo.
