According to the Health Municipal Secretariat, Rio’s hospitals treated 1,840 gunshot victims in 2025, an alarming 66% increase in one year. The typical profile of these victims is male, aged 20 to 40, residing primarily in the areas of Bangu or Pavuna. In 2026, 315 cases have already been recorded, while a new tracking system reveals that 19 people have undergone amputations due to armed violence since 2024.
According to data from the Public Security Institute (ISP) released in March 2026, the Lapa district in Central Rio saw a 22% increase in drug trafficking and a 15% rise in cell phone robberies during the first two months of the year. These figures contrast with the overall decline in crime in other parts of the city’s central region. In response, the Military Police has intensified patrols and increased stop-and-search operations, particularly targeting suspects on motorcycles in high-traffic nightlife areas.
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In 2025, the state of Rio de Janeiro seized 186 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), an 11% increase from the previous year. This data surfaces following a recent explosion on March 20, 2026, at a bus terminal in Ilha do Governador, where a homemade grenade left inside an abandoned backpack detonated, injuring eight people. The Méier, Campos, and Bangu regions led the state in IED seizures, part of a broader total of 1,080 explosives confiscated last year.
In the first two months of 2026, Rio de Janeiro recorded 5,344 vehicle thefts, a 5% increase averaging 90 cases daily. While Alcântara saw a staggering 158% surge, areas like Copacabana reported zero occurrences. Police are combating the trend through “Operation Torniquete,” while criminals increasingly use AI-generated images to scam victims for ransoms. Experts suggest that intense raids in gang-controlled territories may be diverting essential resources from routine street patrols.
03/03/2026 – Released on Tuesday (3), the “Mapa da Mulher Carioca” report reveals that femicides have tripled in Rio, with women representing 65% of all assault and threat victims. Approximately 60% of these crimes are committed by partners or ex-partners, frequently within the victim’s home. Alarmingly, women also account for two-thirds of suicide attempts and self-harm cases recorded in the city. These statistics highlight a severe crisis of domestic and sexual violence, particularly affecting Black women and adolescent girls.
03/03/2026 – On Tuesday (3), two suspects, both 19-year-old athletes, surrendered to Rio de Janeiro police following a brutal gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in Copacabana, South Zone. One of the men, a local football player, turned himself in shortly after his accomplice, another local football player, had also been detained. The victim was lured to an apartment on January 31 by a 17-year-old acquaintance, where she was trapped, raped and assaulted for over an hour by the group. Two other suspects, aged 18, remain at large and face charges of qualified gang rape and false imprisonment.
03/03/2026 – On Tuesday (3), a 23-year-old man was arrested in the Abolição neighborhood, North Rio, for the repeated rape and blackmail of a 15-year-old girl. The suspect coerced the victim into sexual acts by threatening to leak intimate videos on social media, a scheme involving a wider criminal network. The victim was emboldened to report the crimes after seeing news coverage of a recent high-profile case; remarkably, the suspect called her to demand another encounter while she was still at the police station. Officers intercepted the man just 50 meters from the victim’s home, charging him with rape and possession of illegal footage.
03/03/2026 – On Tuesday afternoon (3), a violent confrontation between rival criminals in the Barbante community, in the Campo Grande neighborhood, left two men dead and three children wounded. The victims, two 10-year-old girls and one 14-year-old girl, were caught in the crossfire near the Atenas Municipal School in Inhoaíba. While the two men were found dead inside a vehicle on Estrada do Campinho, the children were rushed to Rocha Faria Municipal Hospital, where two are undergoing surgery.
03/03/2026 – On Tuesday (3), 75-year-old actor José Dumont was arrested at his home in Flamengo, South Zone, following a definitive conviction for child sexual abuse. The case dates back to 2022, involving an 11-year-old boy whom the actor brought into his apartment. Dumont has been sentenced to 9 years and 4 months in prison and was taken into custody by specialized agents after the final court ruling.
03/03/2026 – On Tuesday night (3), a high-speed chase and shootout in Inhaúma, Northern Rio, left two suspects dead following a series of robberies in the area. Military Police intercepted two stolen vehicles, leading to a running gunbattle that ended on Estrada Adhemar Bebiano near Complexo do Alemão. While two accomplices managed to escape with their weapons, the other two suspects were found fatally wounded inside one of the cars.
04/03/2026 – On Wednesday morning (4), a major Military Police operation in the Complexo da Maré, North Rio, triggered violent retaliation from local gangs, who hijacked a bus to block the Linha Amarela highway. The mission, involving over 230 officers from elite units like BOPE, targeted cargo and vehicle theft rings and resulted in the discovery of a large drug processing center. Two suspects were arrested after attempting to flee across rooftops, while police seized two assault rifles, grenades, and high-capacity weapon conversion kits. The conflict forced the closure of 23 schools, four health centers, and suspended academic activities at the Fiocruz campus, severely disrupting the city’s North Zone.
04/03/2026 – On Wednesday morning (4), Civil Police seized approximately two tons of hashish, valued at R$ 100 million, during a raid in Jacarepaguá, Western Rio. The operation, led by the specialized auto theft division (DRFA), targeted a suspect monitored for illegal weapons storage but led officers to a hidden drug depot at the back of a residential garage. A family of four found living on the premises was taken in for questioning to determine their involvement.
04/03/2026 – On Wednesday (4), a 31-year-old woman was arrested in Bangu, West Rio, for the usurpation of public office and fraud after posing as a Federal Revenue agent to scam elderly victims. Operating primarily in the Tijuca neighborhood, the suspect went door-to-door claiming victims owed taxes that had to be paid immediately via Pix, while also stealing jewelry and foreign currency. Despite a previous arrest for the same crime in January, she continued the scheme until police from the 19th DP (Tijuca) executed a new warrant.
04/03/2026 – On Wednesday (4), the owner of JJ Invest, Jonas Spritzer Amar Jaimovick, was arrested in downtown Rio de Janeiro for running a financial pyramid scheme that defrauded 3,200 investors of approximately R$170 million. Operating through the Antifraud Precinct (DDEF), police intercepted the businessman who lured victims, including celebrities and former athletes, with false promises of 10% to 15% monthly returns. He faces charges for crimes against the national financial system.
05/03/2026 – On Thursday (5), a 21-year-old woman, five months pregnant, was hospitalized after being struck by two bullets inside her home during a police operation in the Barreira do Vasco community, São Cristóvão, North Rio. The victim was in her bedroom with her sisters when gunfire erupted between officers and criminals; the shots hit her in the lower back and affected her intestine. While she remains in stable condition and her baby is doing well at Souza Aguiar Hospital, the Military Police stated they were not notified of any victims during the raid, which resulted in the seizure of a rifle and drugs.
05/03/2026 – On Thursday (5), police arrested a 49-year-old woman in the Honório Gurgel neighborhood, North Rio. A fugitive since March 2025, she was sentenced to over 33 years for “Good Night, Cinderella” scams, where she drugged elderly men met on dating apps to steal their credit cards and cash. Despite being on semi-open release, she failed to return to prison and accumulated 12 new criminal records while on the run.
05/03/2026 – On Thursday (5), a violent clash between rival criminal groups in the Santa Cruz neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro left three men dead. The victims were found by Military Police from the 27th BPM inside a bullet-riddled vehicle in the Guandu community following reports of heavy gunfire. Witnesses indicated the confrontation involved local militias disputing territorial control, forcing terrified residents to seek shelter in nearby shops and a medical clinic during the shootout.
06/03/2026 – On Friday (6), on Itacuruça Street in Tijuca, North Rio, a resident posed as a Federal Police agent to intimidate a Light utility crew. Wearing a fake uniform and badge, the suspect threatened workers attempting to inspect his electricity meter before fleeing in a ride-share vehicle. Civil Police later raided his apartment, seizing counterfeit tactical gear, handcuffs, and two replica firearms, while confirming the man has no official ties to the federal corporation.
05/03/2026 – On Thursday (5), Eduardo Peixoto, the commercial advisor for football stars Vinicius Junior and Lucas Paquetá, was shot during an attempted robbery in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, Southwest Zone. The incident occurred on Avenida das Américas when two armed criminals approached his vehicle. Despite no resistance being offered, one of the assailants fired a shot into Peixoto’s abdomen before fleeing with the victims’ cell phones. Peixoto remains hospitalized but is reportedly in stable condition and recovering.
07/03/2026 – In the Del Castilho neighborhood, North Zone, a violent shootout erupted on Saturday (7), resulting in the arrest of five suspects from the Morro do Urubu community. The confrontation began on Dom Hélder Câmara Avenue when Military Police officers attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle, leading to a high-speed chase and an exchange of gunfire. Two rifles (calibers 7.62 and 5.56) and over 50 rounds of ammunition were seized after the suspects crashed their car.
08/03/2026 – On Sunday (8), a BOPE operation in the Morro do Andaraí in the Andaraí neighborhood, Northern Rio, resulted in the death of a notorious local drug kingpin during a shootout. The suspect, a fugitive since 2019 for the murder of a police officer, led a criminal group involved in drug trafficking, car thefts, and the recruitment of minors. A bodyguard was also wounded, and authorities seized a rifle and a pistol at the scene.
08/03/2026 – On Sunday (8), Military Police detained 37 members of the “Torcida Jovem do Flamengo” fan group near the morro Azul, in Laranjeiras, South Zone. Officers were alerted to a potential clash near the Fluminense Football Club headquarters and local fan meeting points. During the stop, police seized weapons including wooden bats, a baseball bat, knives, fireworks, and homemade bombs.
08/03/2026 – On Sunday (8), a police chase in the Realengo neighborhood, Western Rio, resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of a high-caliber weapon. Officers intercepted a suspicious vehicle on Estrada da Água Branca, but during the attempted escape, the suspects struck and injured a motorcyclist. Upon searching the car, police recovered a 5.56 caliber rifle with 63 rounds, a 9mm pistol, and radio communication equipment.
09/03/2026 – On Monday (9), a 12-year-old student was brutally attacked by a classmate inside a restroom at the Professor Júlio de Mesquita Municipal School in Bangu, West Rio. The assault, which included punches, kicks, and hair pulling, was filmed by other students and widely shared online, leaving the victim traumatized and afraid to return to classes. The victim’s family criticized the school for failing to notice the incident and for sending the girl home without notifying her guardians.
10/03/2026 – On Tuesday (10), Rio de Janeiro’s Public Ministry (MPRJ) launched a major operation targeting the criminal network of gambling kingpin Rogério de Andrade and his security apparatus. In coordination with various internal affairs departments, agents served 20 preventive arrest warrants, including 16 successful detentions, against Andrade and 19 law enforcement officers, including active and retired military, civil, and prison police. The investigation revealed that these officers were co-opted to protect illegal gambling sites in Bangu and systematically used corruption to ensure the gang’s activities continued unhindered.
10/03/2026 – On Tuesday (10), the Federal Police launched Operation Anomaly II, dismantling a criminal cell of Civil Police officers accused of using the 44th DP (Inhaúma) to extort leaders of the Comando Vermelho faction. The Supreme Court (STF) ordered the immediate removal and arrest of a titular delegate, his brother (head of investigations), and another agent, who allegedly issued judicial summons specifically to coerce traffickers into paying massive bribes. This action is part of a broader crackdown that saw 24 law enforcement officers targeted in 24 hours across three separate operations for ties to drug trafficking and illegal gambling.
10/03/2026 – On Tuesday (10), the Civil Police arrested seven suspects from the Comando Vermelho during an operation in the Complexo do Chapadão, in Anchieta, Northern Rio. Among those detained are two leaders accused of orchestrating an invasion of Morro do Chaves while disguised in police-style tactical uniforms. This action, part of “Operation Containment,” resulted in the seizure of weapons, drugs, and military gear, aimed at dismantling the logistical structure of a group responsible for violent territorial disputes and the death of a resident in 2025.
10/03/2026 – On Tuesday (10), a Military Police operation in Complexo da Maré, Northern Rio, resulted in the arrest of a major drug lord from Barra do Piraí who was hiding in the Nova Holanda community. The suspect, identified as the regional head of the “Comando Vermelho”, was apprehended during a raid aimed at curbing cargo and vehicle thefts on the city’s main expressways. In addition to the arrest, officers seized 13 kilograms of drugs and recovered four stolen vehicles, though the operation forced the closure of 35 local schools and multiple health centers.
10/03/2026 – On Tuesday night (10), actor and comedian Yan Gonzales Pinheiro survived a violent robbery while riding an electric bike on Avenida Lúcio Costa in Barra da Tijuca. He reported that three men approached him near the Alfa Barra complex, shouting for him to be stabbed. Pinheiro managed to escape unharmed by throwing his bike at the attackers and running away. He later criticized the police response, claiming a dispatcher told him they couldn’t help despite his providing his exact location at a nearby gas station.
10/03/2026 – On Tuesday (10), an 18-year-old student reported being sexually harassed on a 565 bus (Tanque x Gávea) in Rio’s South Zone. The victim recorded the man exposing himself and masturbating while staring at her; the video quickly went viral, leading social media users to identify the suspect as a student and employee of PUC-Rio. The university has stated it will take “appropriate measures” if the link is confirmed, while the victim, who was wearing her school uniform at the time, filed a formal police report after initially fleeing the bus in fear.
10-11/03/2026 – On Tuesday night (10) and the early hours of Wednesday (11), intense gunfire caused panic in the Vila Sapê community in Curicica, Southwest Rio. The confrontation, reportedly involving a territorial dispute between militia groups and the Comando Vermelho (CV) drug faction, forced local businesses to take emergency measures. One hardware store had to rush customers and staff inside and lock its doors to shield them from the spray of bullets. Although the 18th Military Police Battalion (Jacarepaguá) responded to the scene, no arrests or seizures were made.
11/03/2026 – On Wednesday (11), Rio de Janeiro City Councilor Salvino Oliveira (PSD) was arrested during Operation Contenção Red Legacy for allegedly negotiating with drug lord Edgar Alves de Andrade, aka “Doca”, to secure campaign authorization in the CV-dominated Gardênia Azul area, West Zone. Police investigations suggest the councilor facilitated criminal interests, such as the irregular allocation of commercial kiosks to faction associates, in exchange for political support. Oliveira denied all accusations upon his arrest, while five military police officers were also detained for suspected involvement with the criminal organization.
11/03/2026 – On Wednesday (11), the Federal Police launched Operation “Anomalia III”, arresting seven military police officers co-opted by drug factions and militias in Rio de Janeiro and the Baixada Fluminense. These officers allegedly used their positions to provide logistical support to organized crime, shield criminals from prosecution, and engage in money laundering. Following a Supreme Court (STF) mandate, the suspects have been removed from public office and face charges of criminal organization and corruption.
11/03/2026 – On Wednesday (11), several directors of Botafogo football club, including sports management director Alessandro Brito, received physical and death threats after their phone numbers were leaked by fan groups. The harassment followed the team’s 1-0 defeat to Barcelona de Guayaquil at the Nilton Santos stadium, which resulted in their elimination from the Copa Libertadores.
11/03/2026 – On Wednesday night (11), two separate shooting attacks in Taquara, Southwest Rio, left three men dead and one person wounded. In both incidents, the victims were targeted while inside their vehicles. The first attack occurred on Estrada Meringuava, where two men were killed by gunmen reportedly coming from the Dois Irmãos community; the second took place on Estrada dos Bandeirantes, leaving one dead and a survivor who was rushed to Lourenço Jorge Hospital. The Capital Homicide Police (DHC) are investigating whether the two events are linked, as witnesses reported an enforced curfew that forced local businesses to close.
11/03/2026 – On Wednesday (11), police arrested a real estate agent for the sexual assault of a 28-year-old autistic woman in Barra da Tijuca. The victim, who has level 2 support needs, was in the middle of a mental health crisis when the suspect offered her a ride to a nearby hospital. Instead, he drove her to Reserva Beach, where the abuse occurred. Using security footage and forensic evidence, investigators from the Women’s Defense Station (Deam) identified the vehicle and the suspect, who is now in custody.
11/03/2026 – On Wednesday (11), a 14-year-old student at the Pensi College in Vila da Penha, North Rio, reported being sexually harassed by an older student during a break. According to the victim, the high schooler pressed against her and touched her inappropriately while she was in the cafeteria line, an act witnessed by other peers. After the family filed a report at the Police Station, the school stated it had secured security footage for the authorities and adopted “appropriate measures”, though it did not confirm if the suspect was suspended.
12/03/2026 – Operation Shadowgun, led by the Rio Civil Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday (12), dismantled a 3D-printed weapons network active in Barra da Tijuca other locations across the city. Ten buyers linked to drug trafficking and militias were identified for purchasing untraceable “ghost guns.” This group, led by an engineer, circulated technical manuals and used the dark web to finance their clandestine production.
13/03/2026 – On Friday morning (1), Military Police launched a raid in the Jordão community, in the Taquara neighborhood, Southwest Rio, to curb the territorial expansion of criminal factions. During the operation, five suspects were arrested and one man died from injuries sustained during a confrontation. Officers seized a rifle, two pistols, radio transmitters, and a quantity of narcotics.
13/03/2026 – On Friday (13), criminals intercepted a beer truck and held its driver hostage in the Praça Seca neighborhood, within the Bateau Mouche community, North Rio. The arrival of Military Police triggered a shootout that left the vehicle’s windshield struck by gunfire, though no injuries were reported. The assailants managed to flee, allowing authorities to secure the victim and recover the entire shipment.
13/03/2026 – On Friday (13), Civil Police raided a clandestine warehouse in Taquara, Southwest Rio, where weight-loss drugs were being illegally manufactured. Ten employees were arrested in the act, some while attempting to flee with refrigerated vials of tirzepatide (the active ingredient in drugs like Mounjaro). Authorities also seized eight motorcycles used for a private delivery network, highlighting an organized logistics scheme for distributing these unauthorized substances.
13/03/2026 – On Friday night (13), Military Police arrested a street vendor in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, for charging a Colombian tourist R$ 2,500 for a single caipirinha. The victim had agreed to pay R$ 80 but later realized the much higher amount had been processed on his card. The suspect was found hiding in a beach kiosk restroom, where he resisted arrest; police seized two cell phones, a card machine, and a small amount of marijuana.
15/03/2026 – On Sunday (15), police in Rio de Janeiro arrested a man convicted of sexually abusing his 5-year-old son in 2014. The crime, committed in retaliation after the child revealed the father’s extramarital affair to his mother, was witnessed by the victim’s twin brother. The perpetrator, who had been a fugitive since his conviction for statutory rape, was located in Guaratiba.
15/03/2026 – On Sunday night (15), 61-year-old physician Andrea Marins Dias was shot and killed while driving in Cascadura, North Zone. The tragedy occurred during a Military Police pursuit of robbery suspects; officers claim they returned fire after being shot at by occupants of three fleeing vehicles, including a car identical to the victim’s.
15/03/2026 – On Sunday (15), Military Police captured the alleged head of drug trafficking of Macaé while he was on Copacabana Beach. Monitored by drone for over a month, the suspect was apprehended without incident by the 19th BPM. Previously convicted for assaulting a postal worker in 2020, he is among 62 high-profile criminals arrested in the state of Rio since the beginning of the year.
16/03/2026 – On Monday (16), protesters used at least four buses to block Rua Cândido Benício, in Praça Seca, Southwest Rio, as a retaliatory measure following a fatal police confrontation in the Covanca Complex earlier that morning. One suspect died in the initial shootout, leading to demonstrations that paralyzed several municipal and inter-city bus lines and forced the temporary closure of parts of the Transcarioca BRT corridor. Military Police units (18th BPM and RECOM) were deployed to clear the area, and traffic was reportedly restored by mid-afternoon.
16/03/2026 – On Monday night (16), two Military Police officers from the 18th BPM (Jacarepaguá) were shot during an intelligence operation in Taquara, Southwest Rio. The officers were ambushed by heavily armed criminals on Estrada dos Teixeiras, reportedly after their unmarked vehicle was identified by local traffickers. Both victims were rescued and transported to Lourenço Jorge Municipal Hospital in Barra da Tijuca; social media footage suggests the attackers were linked to the Comando Vermelho (CV) faction.
17/03/2026 – On Tuesday (17), Operation “Colmeia” led to the arrest of 11 Comando Vermelho members in Rio’s tourist district of Lapa. Investigations revealed that traffickers, led by the fugitive “Abelha,” operated crack dens near the Selarón Steps and subjected users to torture sessions. This police offensive targeted 28 arrest warrants across the Fallet-Fogueteiro and Prazeres favelas to dismantle the criminal logistics embedded in the city’s historic center.
17/03/2026 – On Tuesday (17), a high-speed chase on Avenida Brasil ended in a shootout and the arrest of one suspect near Penha, North Zone. Federal Highway Police (PRF) officers spotted a suspicious vehicle near Trevo das Margaridas, in Irajá, and attempted to pull it over, but the occupants fled toward the city center. After being intercepted, two individuals opened fire on the officers and managed to escape, while a third man was arrested inside the car. Police seized a 9mm pistol with extended magazines and ammunition and confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen in December 2025.
18/03/2026 – On Wednesday (18), a major BOPE operation in Morro dos Prazeres, central Rio, resulted in the death of seven suspects, including the local drug kingpin known as “Jiló”. During the intervention, a resident was killed after criminals took refuge in his house. His wife was released and left unharmed. Two officers were wounded during the clashes, while in retaliation, buses were set on fire and major roads such as Paulo de Frontin Avenue were blocked by criminal faction members.
18/03/2026 – On Wednesday (18), a police operation in Vila Kennedy, West Zone, targeted those responsible for the death of officer Marcelo José Batista, who was tracked by drone and executed in 2025. The primary suspect was killed in a shootout with CORE agents during the raid, while a second accomplice had already died in February. By neutralizing these individuals, the mission dismantled the CV criminal cell responsible for the ambush on Avenida Brasil.
18/03/2026 – On Wednesday (18), Rio Civil Police arrested the former president of the Semeadores da Luz spiritual center, located on Ilha do Governador. A fugitive since his 2023 conviction, this individual is accused of sexually abusing over 100 followers between 2009 and 2016 by exploiting his position as a mentor during rituals. The spiritual center has since permanently closed its doors following the scandal, and the former vice-president, who was also convicted, remains at large.
19/03/2026 – On Thursday (19), two men were shot while inside a vehicle in Curicica, West Zone. According to initial reports, assailants opened fire on the car before fleeing the scene. The victims were transported to a local hospital, and Military Police officers were dispatched to secure the area.
19/03/2026 – A children’s party entertainer convicted of pedophilia was arrested on Thursday (19), in Campo Grande, West Rio, following an intelligence operation by the 16th DP (Barra da Tijuca). The man had been sentenced in 2024 to over four years in prison for virtual sexual abuse committed in 2020, where he groomed victims, including a 9-year-old, via messaging apps and online games. Despite his conviction, he continued to work as an animator and promote his services on social media until police tracked him to his mother’s residence.
19/03/2026 – On Thursday (19), a 20-year-old fugitive from Ceará was arrested on Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, following a joint operation between the two states’ police forces. Wanted for murder and suspected of belonging to a Rio-based criminal faction operating in Varjota (CE), the suspect has a lengthy record including illegal weapons possession, theft, and robbery. Captured while hiding out in the tourist hotspot, he is currently awaiting transfer back to Ceará to face charges.
20/03/2026 – On Friday (20), an off-duty police officer was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery while walking his dog in Quintino, Northern Rio. The officer noticed four criminals on two motorcycles approaching and engaged in a shootout when one suspect drew a weapon. While the suspects fled and remain at large, the officer underwent surgery and is currently in serious but stable condition.
20/03/2026 – On Friday (20), a traffic dispute in Leblon, South Rio, escalated into a stabbing involving a driver and a delivery rider. Police reports indicate mutual aggression began after a near-collision, with the motorcyclist allegedly striking the driver with a helmet before being stabbed in the abdomen with a pocketknife. No immediate arrests were made due to the reciprocal nature of the injuries, which are currently classified as bodily harm.
20/03/2026 – On Friday (20), an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at a bus terminal on Costa Carvalho Street in Ilha do Governador, in front of the Bananal Marine Corps barracks, injuring eight people, two of them seriously. Concealed in a black backpack, the bomb exploded when a bus driver handled it. Locally known as a “calíca”, the homemade device consisted of a metal structure filled with gunpowder, nails, and glass shards. This type of explosive is extremely unstable, capable of detonating from simple movement, friction, or heat, and projects lethal shrapnel over a wide area.
20/03/2026 – On Friday (20), a police chase ended in a shootout in the Pechincha neighborhood of Jacarepaguá, Southwest Rio, leaving two suspects wounded. The confrontation began on Henrique Costa Street after the suspects, riding a motorcycle, fired at officers during an attempted stop. Both the driver and the passenger were hit and received medical care. A local resident identified the duo as the perpetrators of a robbery involving a necklace and a ring, which were recovered along with a seized revolver.
20/03/2026 – On Friday (20), four students were robbed at gunpoint inside a women’s restroom at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) in Maracanã. The assailant, disguised as a delivery driver, stole cell phones and assaulted one student who refused to provide her passcode by pulling her hair and striking her. University security attempted to intervene, but the criminal managed to escape after threatening the agents. This incident has sparked widespread protests from students and faculty regarding the lack of internal security.
20/03/2026 – On Friday (20), a high-ranking member of the PCC (First Capital Command) was arrested in Vargem Pequena, Western Rio, after years as a fugitive. The individual served as a coordinator responsible for ordering the executions of rivals in the Paraisópolis community of São Paulo. Wanted on four outstanding warrants for murder and armed robbery, he was intercepted while using false identification. Authorities emphasized his extreme danger, noting that he had previously killed a prison officer during his escape in 2019.
20/03/2026 – On Friday (20), a police patrol from the 14th BPM (Bangu) resulted in a shootout in the Vila Vintém community in Padre Miguel, Western Rio, leaving two suspects dead. One of the deceased was a high-ranking drug trafficking leader responsible for operations in Vila Vintém and the Fumacê slum, who had been a fugitive since 2022. Officers seized a 5.56 caliber rifle, two .40 caliber pistols, three grenades, and twelve magazines. The area is currently identified as being under the control of the Friends of Friends (ADA) criminal faction.
22/03/2026 – On Sunday (22), motorists reported widespread extortion by illegal parking attendants (flanelinhas) in Rio’s Aterro do Flamengo and Glória neighborhoods, with fees reaching up to R$ 100 for public spaces. Victims described being intimidated and coerced into paying high amounts under the threat of having their vehicles scratched, particularly near major events and the Glória street market. In several instances, attendants directed drivers to park in prohibited areas, resulting in fines and towing by the Municipal Guard. A police operation led to the detention of 14 attendants and the issuance of 38 traffic citations for illegal parking.
22/03/2026 – On Sunday (22), a theft of cables was carried out on “Jaé” ticketing machines at the Ibiapina BRT station in Penha, Northern Rio. The suspect was captured on Mobi-Rio surveillance cameras removing the wires using pliers and blades. Shortly after the crime, municipal guards found the man sleeping inside the terminal, in possession of a bag containing the stolen material and his tools.
23/03/2026 – On Monday (23), an illegal scrapyard was shut down on Rio Apa Street in Cordovil, Northern Rio, following resident complaints. During the raid, municipal agents seized 70 kg of copper, eight electric motorcycle batteries, and various sharp objects. Beyond the illicit storage of materials that obstructed the sidewalk, technicians discovered that the establishment was operating via a clandestine power connection (electricity theft). The operation resulted in the seizure of all materials and the owner being arrested.
23/03/2026 – On Monday (23), a 23-year-old woman was assaulted in Rocha Miranda, North Zone, after rejecting a man’s unwanted advances while leaving a party. As she waited for a ride-share vehicle, the suspect began insulting her and forcibly pulled her out of the car, striking her in the head with crutches. The victim managed to escape with the help of a motorcycle taxi and sought medical care at a local emergency unit (UPA).
24/03/2026 – On Tuesday (24), Civil Police arrested Elane Cristina Santos Silva in Taquara, Southwest Rio, for her leading role in a Ceará crime faction. The wife of “Gilberto Mingau”, one of Ceará’s most wanted fugitives, she allegedly coordinated attacks, extortions, and robberies from Rio. Her group is notorious for turning the village of Uiraponga into a “ghost town” after forcibly displacing nearly 2,000 residents last year. While Elane is now in custody, her husband is believed to be hiding in Rio’s Complexo da Maré.
24/03/2026 – On Tuesday (24), the Military Justice ordered the final incarceration of several military personnel and civilians involved in an embezzlement scheme at the Military Institute of Engineering (IME) in Urca, South Rio. The network, which caused an estimated loss of over R$ 25 million, relied on 88 rigged bids and shell companies. The convicts will serve sentences ranging from 5 to 16 years, either in an army police unit or at the Bangu prison complex for civilians.
25/03/2026 – On March 25, 2026, Civil Police arrested in Realengo, West Zone, a 20-year-old transgender sex worker known by the alias “Manu Gaúcha” (identified as Iago de Souza Pilar), who had been sentenced to 24 years in prison for robbery and extortion. A fugitive since April 2025, she used dating sites to lure men, often married, whom she then threatened with a knife to obtain money via credit card terminals. She supplemented her illicit income through blackmail, demanding large sums by threatening to expose private messages to her clients’ families.
25/03/2026 – On Wednesday (25), an intervention by the “Segurança Presente” program at the Senhor Abravanel School in Largo do Machado, in the Catete neighborhood, South Rio, led to a physical confrontation between a police officer and representatives of student unions. Police were called by the school administration following the activists’ refusal to leave the premises during the signing of a petition against a teacher suspected of harassment. The officer was filmed beating a young woman and then attacking her collegue, who attempted to protect her. The agent has been preventively removed from the streets while an internal investigation is underway.
26/03/2026 – On Thursday (26), officers from the Special Rounds and Crowd Control Battalion (Recom) arrested a fugitive and an accomplice on the Linha Vermelha highway, at the entrance to Cidade Universitária in North Rio. During the stop, police identified that the vehcile the pair was driving was stolen and that one of the men had an outstanding warrant for murder.
26/03/2026 – On Thursday (26), Civil Police discovered a narcotics “bunker” hidden within a house in downtown Rio de Janeiro. Protected by a 350-kg steel door, the secret compartment served as a hideout and drug depot for the Comando Vermelho. Three men linked to gang leaders “Abelha” and “Piu” were caught in the act and arrested with a large quantity of drugs. According to investigators, traffickers are increasingly using these historic buildings as mobile sales points to facilitate quick escapes through the rear or neighboring properties.
26/03/2026 – On Thursday (26), a territorial dispute between rival factions left three men dead in the Para-Pedro community, in Irajá the neighborhood, North Rio. According to reports, members of the Comando Vermelho (CV) invaded the area to seize control from the Pure Third Command (TCP). Military Police discovered the bodies after responding to reports of gunfire.
26/03/2026 – On Thursday (26), Civil Police arrested a man in the Rio Comprido neighborhood, North Rio, accused of raping and threatening his own 26-year-old daughter. The crime occurred on February 19 in Araruama, where the suspect allegedly intoxicated the victim with alcohol before assaulting her. After the attack, he fled to the state capital and began sending her sexual audio messages and threats.
TRENDS & ADVICE
- Mass robberies and thefts in tourist spots are some of the most notorious security risks in Rio de Janeiro, especially in the city’s South Zone.
- When moving through crowded places and their vicinities, visitors should be cautious and refrain from exposing valuables.
- Avoid any display of wealth (jewelry, cell phones), but always carry a small amount of money (R$50) to hand over to muggers.
- In case of robbery: cooperate, do not try to run after the assailant as he or she might not be alone or turn violent.
- Rio is famous for its favelas, and most are affected by the presence of gangs. Disputes for territory between rivals and police operations lead to gunfights. Therefore, these locations should never be visited.
- Shootouts may also occur outside such communities, in this case:
- Lay on the ground and seek cover behind a solid object, such as the engine block.
- When it is safe to do so, find the nearest building, stay away from any windows, and do not move unless you are sure that the gunfire has ended.
- Shootouts may also occur outside such communities, in this case:
- Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas or beaches after nightfall. Avoid walking/biking through tunnels, especially Túnel do Leme.
- As sexual aggressions are on the rise, women should pay special attention to the environments where they go alone and avoid empty and dark places.
- During a night out, never accept offers of food and beverages from strangers, and pay attention to yours, as they can add drugs to them.
- Men and women alike are targets of such crimes.
- Be always cautious, even in the areas considered safe, such as Downtown, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Barra da Tijuca.
- Exercise caution in the Centro (downtown) during the day and avoid the area after nightfall and during the weekends, as it is relatively deserted during such periods.
- Be careful when using the GPS, as it may lead you to unsafe areas controlled by organized crime.
- Remain on the main streets and roads and avoid the rush hours.
- Prefer cooperative taxis instead of driving yourself or using a ride-sharing App.
- Stay away from any protests that normally occur in Av. Presidente Vargas, Av. Rio Branco, Praça da Cinelândia, and Av. Atlântica.
- Attention to scams that may reach you through a WhatsApp message, e-mail, SMS, or a call.
- Keep in mind useful numbers: Emergency police number (190), and Rio de Janeiro tourist Police. Phone: (21) 2332-7949
