The State of São Paulo registered a record number of femicides committed in public spaces, with 109 victims murdered in the street, at work, or in commercial establishments last year. While the home remains the highest-risk location, these deaths outside the household now account for over 40% of cases, a phenomenon fueled by the rejection of female autonomy and harassment following breakups. Experts highlight improved crime classification thanks to new laws, while authorities increase protective measures such as electronic monitoring of aggressors. Despite these structural efforts to curb this escalation of misogyny, many perpetrators continue to be caught in the act during police interventions.
01/04/2026 – On Wednesday (1st), the Sao Paulo Civil Police launched an operation against a gang specializing in kidnapping drivers to steal and dismantle their vehicles. Agents from Garra and the Anti-Kidnapping Division are executing 14 search warrants and five arrest warrants across the capital and Guarulhos. The group is suspected of holding victims captive while stripping the cars in illegal chop shops. Investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the criminal network.
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03/04/2026 – On Friday (3), a 31-year-old woman was fatally shot by a female police officer during an intervention that escalated in Cidade Tiradentes, East São Paulo. The tragedy occurred following a dispute between a couple and a police patrol regarding either the vehicle’s speed or a collision with its rearview mirror. While officers claim the victim physically assaulted them, her husband maintains she was shot after simply protesting. Following her death, violent protests erupted in the neighborhood, and the officer involved has been removed from operational duty while her body camera footage was seized for investigation.
04/04/2026 – On Saturday (4), four people were injured in a violent collision caused by a drunk driver in a Porsche Boxster on the Radial Leste, in the Vila Matilde neighborhood. The accident occurred when the high-speed luxury car crossed the center median and slammed head-on into another car traveling in the opposite direction. The impact was so severe that the second vehicle’s roof was torn off, seriously injuring its driver who was on his way to work. Following a breathalyzer test revealing a level of 0.40 mg/L, the 27-year-old driver, who was also operating without a license, was arrested in the act for a traffic crime.
05/04/2026 – In the early hours of Sunday (5), on Álvaro de Mendonça Street in Itaquera, East São Paulo, a 24-year-old man lost his life after being violently struck by a high-speed car. The accident was captured by security cameras showing the brutal impact followed by a collision with two parked vehicles, while the driver fled the scene on foot without rendering aid to the victim. After turning himself in several hours later, the unlicensed teenager, who claimed to be driving for the very first time, was arrested in the act.
06/04/2026 – In the early hours of Monday (6), on Atos Damasceno Street in the Jabaquara district of South São Paulo, a man was brutally beaten by a group of military police officers during the dispersal of a funk street party. Amateur footage shows the victim on his knees, receiving baton strikes to the back and kicks to the face while already subdued by the officers. Although the man was taken to the station for contempt and assault, the brutality of the intervention led to a rigorous investigation by the Secretariat of Public Security. Following the release of the video, the five officers involved were removed from operational duty and arrested in the act.
07/04/2026 – On Tuesday night (7), a Civil Police clerk fought back during an attempted robbery on Apucarana Street in the Tatuapé neighborhood, East Zone. The officer, stationed at the 24th PD, was approached around 7:20 PM and shot the suspect, who died at the scene. The officer was unharmed, and the case was recorded as a robbery followed by death resulting from police intervention, with the DHPP supporting the investigation, while a second perpetrator was arrested in the act.
08/04/2026 – On Wednesday (8), a pharmacy in Pirituba, North São Paulo, was the scene of an armed robbery specifically targeting Mounjaro weight-loss pens. During the attack around 1:00 AM, two men and two teenagers took employees and customers hostage, confining them to a back room at gunpoint to steal the medication, jewelry, and cash. Alerted, the Military Police managed to surround the establishment and arrest the four bandits in the act before they could flee in a stolen vehicle.
08/04/2026 – On Wednesday night (8), a soldier was mortally wounded by a firearm handled by a fellow soldier inside a military housing unit in the Ibirapuera region, South São Paulo. The incident occurred during guard duty at an officers’ residential complex when a recruit struck the victim’s chest while handling a weapon. Despite immediate emergency medical assistance, the death was confirmed shortly after.
09/04/2026 – On Thursday (9), an off-duty female military police officer shot and killed two assailants during an attempted robbery in the Casa Verde neighborhood, North Zone. As she arrived home, the officer was approached by two young men, aged 21 and 19, who arrived on two motorcycles. Surveillance cameras captured the moment: after pretending to hand over her belongings to gain distance, the officer drew her service weapon and opened fire. One suspect died at the scene, while the second succumbed to his injuries after being rescued. The motorcycles and the criminals’ weapon were seized.
10/04/2026 – On Friday (10), a 39-year-old delivery rider was fatally shot by a Metropolitan Civil Guard (GCM) inspector near Ibirapuera Park. The incident occurred as the officer was exiting his vehicle to approach the victim, who was riding a bicycle with headphones; the officer claimed the discharge was accidental. The officer, despite having a prior criminal record, was caught in the act and arrested before being released on bail.
11/04/2026 – On Saturday (11), a man and his wife were executed in cold blood inside a vehicle on João Teixeira Ramos Street, in the Vila Franca neighborhood, South Zone. The victims, who were attending a party at a friend’s house, were ambushed by gunmen in another car just as they had parked. The man was identified by authorities as an influential member of the PCC and was a defendant in the 2022 murder of a rival militia leader. Civil police are now investigating a possible revenge killing linked to the territorial war between the criminal faction and a militia group over the control of illicit activities, while the perpetrators of the double homicide were caught in the act during an immediate pursuit operation.
11/04/2026 – On Saturday (11), a 53-year-old woman was fatally shot during a gunfight in the Água Rasa neighborhood, East Zone. The exchange of fire broke out when an off-duty military police officer intervened to stop four armed individuals from stealing a motorcycle. The victim, a mere bystander, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital while the criminals fled.
12/04/2026 – On Sunday (12), an armed robbery was committed at a pharmacy in the Morumbi neighborhood, South Zone. A couple, along with two accomplices, stole 58 boxes of weight-loss injection pens (such as Ozempic and Mounjaro) and beauty products, with a total estimated value of over R$ 160,000. The criminals threatened employees with a revolver before fleeing. Following a car chase, the vehicle was intercepted near the Cidade Jardim Bridge, leading to the recovery of all stolen goods and the suspects being caught in the act.
14/04/2026 – On Tuesday (14), a 65-year-old Chilean national was caught in the act and arrested at Guarulhos International Airport. The suspect was caught on surveillance cameras stealing a backpack from a distracted passenger. This marks his 11th similar theft at the same airport since last year. Despite attempting to flee and physically resisting arrest by Civil Police, the man was subdued, and the stolen items were recovered. Currently in an irregular migratory status and using a false name, he is now under investigation by the Federal Police for potential deportation.
15/04/2026 – This Wednesday (15), São Paulo police launched a major operation to dismantle a gang specialized in violent home robberies responsible for a robbery resulting in death in the Tucuruvi neighborhood, North Zone. The crime took place on March 28, when three armed individuals invaded a home, held a couple captive, and shot the 59-year-old owner dead after physically assaulting him to demand valuables.
15/04/2026 – On Wednesday (15), a woman was the victim of an attempted femicide in Capão Redondo, South São Paulo, after being chased and run over by her ex-boyfriend. Despite a protective order being in place, the attacker intentionally rammed the victim’s motorcycle with his car before fleeing.
15/04/2026 – On Wednesday (15), a major seizure for international drug trafficking took place at Guarulhos International Airport. During a routine inspection at the cargo terminal, Federal Revenue sniffer dogs identified 283.5 kg of hashish hidden in two shipments from California, USA. The drugs are valued at R$ 34 million, bringing the total seizures of this substance to a historic record of 1,486 kg so far this year.
16/04/2026 – On Thursday (16), a 42-year-old driver was shot in the head and killed on Margaridas Amarelas Street, in the Vila Calu neighborhood, South São Paulo. after attempting to intervene in a robbery. The victim, Alisson Oliveira de Jesus, rammed his vehicle into two assailants’ motorcycle to rescue a delivery rider, throwing them against a wall before being shot by the fleeing criminals.
17/04/2026 – On Friday (17), the São Paulo Civil Police launched a major operation in the downtown and East Zone of the capital against a gang specializing in the theft of high-cost medications. The action aimed to execute six arrest warrants and nine search warrants. Several suspects were caught in the act or detained under court orders before being taken to the Police Palace (DHPP). This crackdown is part of an increased fight against criminal networks targeting expensive treatments, for which demand on the illegal market continues to rise.
18/04/2026 – On Saturday (18), a Japanese restaurant in the Morumbi district, South São Paulo was targeted by a mass robbery. In the late afternoon, criminals wearing motorcycle helmets stormed the establishment, causing panic as customers tried unsuccessfully to hide under tables. One of the robbers moved from table to table collecting jewelry, wallets, and cell phones, even assaulting one of the diners. Meanwhile, two other accomplices held over ten employees at bay, forcing some to lie on the floor.
18/04/2026 – On Saturday (18), a criminal posing as a delivery rider on a motorcycle robbed a woman in front of a store on Parada Pinto Avenue, in the Vila Nova Cachoeirinha area of North São Paulo. Security footage shows the individual riding illegally on the sidewalk before snatching the phone from the victim’s hands in a matter of seconds. The perpetrator, wearing a delivery backpack as a disguise, fled the scene immediately.
19/04/2026 – On Sunday (19), an investigation revealed serious misconduct within the São Paulo Military Police, involving procedural fraud and abuse of power. The report, based on 32 cases tried by the Military Justice system, highlights that 75 officers manipulated or obstructed their body cameras to hide acts of violence, extortion, or drinking while on duty. Among the cases, a sergeant was convicted for using a slingshot against pedestrians, while other officers were sanctioned for pinning a man by the neck during an arrest. These revelations come as the new camera model adopted by the Public Security Secretariat no longer features continuous recording, making it more difficult for the justice system to monitor such abuses.
19/04/2026 – On Sunday (19), a 46-year-old man was shot in the head and killed on Juriti Avenue, in the upscale Moema neighborhood, after attempting to help a couple being robbed. A criminal posing as a delivery rider held up the couple for their wedding rings and cell phones near the Moema metro station. The victim, who was walking by, tried to intervene but was shot by the suspect, who then fled on a motorcycle. Despite being rushed to Hospital São Paulo in critical condition, the man did not survive.
19/04/2026 – On Sunday (19), a 35-year-old female municipal civil guard, Sara Andrade dos Reis, was found dead on the Rodovia dos Imigrantes, in the Saúde region of South São Paulo. Initially reported as a motorcycle accident, the case was reclassified as a homicide after gunshot wounds were discovered in her head and shoulder. A holster was found near her body, but her service weapon was missing, leading police to investigate the case as a robbery resulting in death.
20/04/2026 – On Monday (20), a 26-year-old IT developer was seriously wounded by gunfire on Gomes de Carvalho Street, in the Vila Olímpia neighborhood, while attempting to protect his girlfriend during a robbery. Approached by a criminal on a motorcycle, the young man asked for the return of his partner’s phone; in response, the robber fired five shots, hitting him in the collarbone, shoulder blade, and hand. The victim underwent surgery and remains hospitalized, while the suspect fled with the couple’s phones, possibly escorted by an accomplice vehicle. This incident marks the fifth case in five days in São Paulo where a victim has been shot during a robbery, highlighting a violent streak of urban crimes in the city’s South Zone.
20/04/2026 – On Monday night (20), the driver of a stolen car broke through a police blockade on Avenida das Nações Unidas (Marginal Pinheiros), striking and injuring two officers. After colliding with two other vehicles near the Socorro Bridge, the suspects abandoned the car and fled on foot; one teenager was detained, while his accomplice remains at large.
20/04/2026 – On Monday (20), a 37-year-old Haitian security guard died after being shot at a construction site within Congonhas Airport in South São Paulo. Sylvio Volcy was providing property security in an isolated area being renovated for airport expansion when he was seriously wounded. Despite receiving immediate first aid and being rushed to the Jabaquara Emergency Unit (UPA), he succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
20/04/2026 – On Monday (20), a 35-year-old actor was brutally beaten by several men in a homophobic attack at a liquor store in Cambuci, Central São Paulo, while dressed in drag queen. The victim was hospitalized with internal bleeding and multiple injuries after losing consciousness during the assault. The suspects remain at large.
21/04/2026 – On Tuesday (21), an investigation revealed that criminals in São Paulo are filming and sharing their own cell phone thefts on social media. These videos, which garner thousands of views, showcase bicycle snatches, smash-and-grab attacks on cars, and robberies inside subways, are often filmed by accomplices to “glorify” the crimes. Despite a reported 20% decrease in thefts earlier this year, the capital still averages one cell phone robbery every 10 minutes, with the Pinheiros neighborhood remaining the most targeted area. Authorities and experts highlight the rise of a digital subculture flaunting impunity, while platforms like Instagram face increasing pressure to remove content that promotes criminal activity.
21/04/2026 – On Tuesday (21), a security guard filmed himself shooting and killing his colleague, in Jardim Aeroporto, South São Paulo. The perpetrator was recording the victim to prove his alleged intoxication to their employer when the victim charged toward him, leading to the fatal shot. After instructing a witness to call emergency services, the shooter fled the scene.
21/04/2026 – On Tuesday (21), a father and daughter were found dead in their home in the Jardim Nair neighborhood, East São Paulo, after three days of silence. The bodies were discovered by relatives on Rua Santa Angélica, where a stove burner was found still lit. Police are investigating the case as a homicide and potential femicide, focusing on the daughter’s new boyfriend with whom she had a troubled relationship.
22/04/2026 – On Wednesday (22), influencer Jefferson de Souza came under Civil Police investigation for using deepfake technology to sexualize members of the Christian Congregation of Brazil. He manipulated photos of women and teenagers using AI to simulate suggestive scenes inside churches, claiming his actions were humor or doctrinal criticism. Facing charges of defamation and crimes against minors, the suspect’s accounts were restricted as police continue to search for additional victims.
24/04/2026 – On Friday (24), a 21-year-old man attempted a double homicide with a machete against his sister and brother-in-law in Sacomã, South São Paulo, wounding them in the arm, neck and face. The attack broke out at the family home after a brief conversation, forcing the husband to intervene before being struck himself. Alerted by witnesses, the military police arrested the suspect in the act, and he remains in custody for domestic violence and attempted homicide under the Maria da Penha Law.
24/04/2026 – On Friday (24), an off-duty military police officer confronted four criminals during an attempted motorcycle robbery on Cupecê Avenue, in the Cidade Ademar neighborhood. The officer, driving home from work, opened fire after being threatened by the armed assailants, killing one and wounding a second. A third accomplice was arrested at the scene while the last one managed to escape; the victim remained unharmed throughout the incident.
24/04/2026 – On Friday (24), the São Paulo Military Police launched” Operation Impact” to dismantle gangs specializing in smashing car windows to steal valuables. Mobilizing over 200 officers, 15 drones, and 3 helicopters across 126 strategic locations, the operation resulted in the arrest of 18 suspects. In addition to the arrests, authorities seized cell phones, drugs, and stolen bicycles, addressing an urgent government mandate to secure major roadways and the city center.
24/04/2026 – On Friday (24), a businessman was robbed inside his motorcycle shop on Estrada do Pirajussara, in the Jardim Mitsutani neighborhood (Campo Limpo). Two criminals posing as delivery drivers arrived at the scene in the early evening; one entered the establishment to steal jewelry and the victim’s cell phone. The incident, captured by security cameras, lasted about a minute, and the suspects remain at large.
25/04/2026 – On Sunday (25), a homeless man identified as Natanael Pereira dos Santos was stabbed to death at the Princesa Isabel bus terminal in the Campos Elíseos neighborhood, downtown São Paulo. The crime occurred in the middle of the morning following an argument with another homeless man, who was caught and arrested on the spot. The victim’s body remained on the platform in full view of passengers for six hours before being removed by forensic services.
26/04/2026 – On Sunday (26), a funk singer was shot in the shoulder after his vehicle was targeted in the Max Feffer Tunnel, in Itaim Bibi, South São Paulo, by three motorcyclists. The attack followed a ten-kilometer chase after a performance at Titio Lounge, in the Jardim São Luiz neighborhood, South São Paulo, potentially triggered by a jealousy-related dispute during the show. After successful surgery, the artist was discharged that same evening. The perpetrators fled.
27/04/2026 – On Monday (27), a police response to a reported kidnapping led to the seizure of over 6,000 boxes of smuggled medications in the Sacomã neighborhood. While inspecting the residence, Military Police discovered a massive stash of weight-loss pens and anabolic steroids from Paraguay, all lacking health regulatory approval. The couple at the scene claimed the house was merely a storage site for a third party.
27/04/2026 – On Monday (27), the São Paulo Civil Police launched “Operation Contaminatio” to dismantle a PCC infiltration ring within city halls across Greater São Paulo and the coast. The operation resulted in five arrests and the freezing of R$ 513.6 million in assets. The investigation reveals a money laundering scheme using a faction-created “fintech” to manage municipal taxes, alongside the illegal financing of candidates to promote organized crime interests within public administration.
28/04/2026 – On Tuesday (28), the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in São Paulo issued an alert regarding a suspected travel package scam. A couple of Korean origin is accused of selling tickets and tours to South Korea without fulfilling the contracted services. Following numerous reports of financial loss from victims, the consulate expressed deep concern and is now collaborating with lawyers and Brazilian police. The diplomatic body urges all victims to file a police report immediately and warns that anyone involved in promoting these fraudulent sales could be held accountable.
28/04/2026 – On Tuesday (28), the Department of Strategic Police Operations (Dope) dismantled a criminal ring specializing in the “fake lawyer” scam. Five suspects were arrested in São Paulo, São Vicente, and Cubatão for posing as STJ (Superior Court of Justice) attorneys. Their tactic involved contacting victims to claim they had won a lawsuit and demanding bank transfers to release the funds. A sixth accomplice remains at large, while the investigation continues to identify further potential victims.
28/04/2026 – On Tuesday (28), a robbery turned fatal in the Morumbi neighborhood, South Zone, when an off-duty police officer shot and killed a 25-year-old assailant. The criminal, riding a stolen motorcycle and carrying a revolver with a filed-off serial number, had just robbed a woman at gunpoint of a Tiffany gold necklace valued at R$ 25,000 and her cell phone. The officer fired seven shots, killing the man at the scene; while the phone was recovered, the jewelry remains missing.
28/04/2026 – On Tuesday (28), a pedestrian was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight in the Pinheiros neighborhood. A motorcyclist approached the victim on Lisboa Street, demanded their cell phone, and quickly fled. Pinheiros currently leads the city in mobile phone thefts, with 2,303 cases reported in the first two months of the year alone, a 47% increase compared to the same period last year.
29/04/2026 – On Wednesday (29), authorities warned of a new robbery tactic on buses known as the “fake vomit” scam. Criminals, often speaking Spanish, simulate a vomiting incident by splashing a sticky substance onto victims’ clothing. Taking advantage of the passengers’ distraction and disgust, they pretend to help them clean up while stealing phones and documents before fleeing at the next stop. Public Security confirmed at least two reports in late April.
29/04/2026 – On Wednesday (29), a 28-year-old man was caught in the act in the Brooklin neighborhood while transporting copper cables stolen from the monorail structure to a scrap yard. This arrest comes amid rising tensions for residents living near Line 17-Gold, which opened only a month ago. Locals are reporting a surge in insecurity characterized by open-air drug dealing and repeated thefts that have already disrupted train services five times.
29/04/2026 – On Wednesday (29), a 45-year-old driver was shot and killed by military police during a traffic dispute in the Jaraguá neighborhood, North São Paulo. Armed with a 30-centimeter machete, the man was threatening a motorcyclist and the responding officers on Raimundo Pereira de Magalhães Avenue. After disobeying orders to surrender and charging at the agents, they fired seven shots; hit by four bullets, the driver died later at the hospital. An investigation has been launched by the DHPP to verify the officers’ claim of self-defense.
30/04/2026 – On Thursday (30), São Paulo Civil Police launched “Operation Descredenciamento” to dismantle a massive health insurance fraud ring, with losses estimated at up to R$ 60 million. Clinics providing autism (ASD) therapy are suspected of simulating appointments, issuing false medical reports, and filing lawsuits to force payment for non-existent treatments. In some instances, fraudulent billing exceeded R$ 200,000 per child for fictitious therapies.
30/04/2026 – On Thursday (30), the São Paulo Military Police launched the second phase of “Operation Impact”, deploying 900 officers, 290 vehicles, and armored units to combat “smash-and-grab” gangs and drug trafficking. This large-scale offensive, focused on the city center, follows a previous operation on April 24 that resulted in 18 arrests. In addition to ground forces, authorities are utilizing drones, K-9 units, and helicopters to permanently dismantle the criminal structures targeting motorists and pedestrians in the capital.
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 República. Monitor the local media 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.
- Pay attention when walking downtown, especially in Liberdade and Sé districts, and on Rua 25 de Março.
- At night, these regions are no-go zones.
- Considering the high crime rate of some locations in São Paulo, business travelers, and expatriates should comply with security rules to reduce the risks linked to violent crimes.
- In case of an assault, it is strictly recommended not to resist and avoid making any abrupt movement that may irritate criminals, who do not hesitate to open fire.
- Avoid, if possible, circulating through the neighborhoods in the East and North Zones, and peripheral neighborhoods in other zones due to the high rates of various crimes.
- 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 and violent aggressions. Hence, avoid walking around with your cell phone in your hand, in addition to wearing jewels and expensive watches.
- As sexual aggressions are on the rise, women should pay special attention to the environments where they go to, avoid empty and dark places.
- During a night out, never accept food and beverages from strangers, as they can put some drugs in them. Men and women alike are targets of such crimes.
- Attention to the windows when inside a vehicle. Keep them closed, as criminals use heavy traffic to rob passengers with exposed valuables, like a cell phone.
- Attention to scams that may reach you through a WhatsApp message, e-mail, SMS, or a call.
- Be careful when trying to meet new people on the internet, as criminals use dating apps and social networks to assault you and apply scams.
- The number of express kidnappings is still high.
- Criminals use violence to make their victims transfer all their money via PIX.
- Cooperate to mitigate the risk of violence.
- Keep in mind useful numbers: Emergency police number (190), and São Paulo tourist Police (+55 11 3120 4417).



