Armed robberies around the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), in Maracanã, surged in early 2025, with 320 incidents reported in January and February, surpassing the total for all of 2024 (208 cases), according to the Public Security Institute (ISP). Students report increasingly violent assaults, particularly on the ramp connecting UERJ to train and metro stations. The university has demanded a stronger police presence and is working on improving lighting in the area, which has also suffered from cable theft.
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29/03/2025 – During a routine inspection on Saturday night (29/03), Federal Police officers at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport intercepted a woman attempting to smuggle 1.5 kg of cocaine hidden beneath her clothing. The 22-year-old suspect was preparing to board a flight to Lisbon.
30/03/2025 – An officer from the CORE (Rio’s Civil Police elite unit) was shot and killed on Sunday night (30/03) while driving along Estrada da Barra de Guaratiba, near the Grota Funda tunnel, in Barra de Guaratiba, West Zone. He was following his wife, a criminal court judge, who was in an armored private car when they were ambushed by armed men with rifles and pistols. Although their vehicle was hit, the judge and her driver were unharmed. Police are investigating two possible motives: an attempted carjacking or a targeted attack carried out by criminals. No suspects have been arrested so far.
30/03/2025 – A violent clash between rival drug factions left one man dead and a 13-year-old injured early Sunday (30/03) in the Cascadura neighborhood, North Zone. Members of the Red Command (CV) from Morro do Dezoito attempted to invade the Third Pure Command (TCP)-controlled Morro do Fubá, sparking a shootout.
30/03/2025 – A woman was shot and killed on Sunday afternoon (30/03) at Praia do Secreto, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, West Zone. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots around 15:38 on Avenida Estado da Guanabara. The victim’s identity has not yet been confirmed.
31/03/2025 – A shootout during a police operation at a baile funk in Cidade de Deus, West Rio, left two teenagers injured early Monday (31/03). A 15-year-old pregnant girl and a 16-year-old boy were struck by gunfire amid the chaos as police forces arrived near Estrada Marechal Miguel Salazar Mendes de Moraes. It remains unclear who fired the shots that hit the teens.
01/04/2025 – On Tuesday (01/04) a homeless man entered a Military Police Outpost (DPO) located in Parque União, North Zone, to commit a robbery. During this incident, he violently assaulted a police officer, biting him repeatedly. The aggressor was arrested.
02/04/2025 – On Wednesday (02/04), a joint operation by Rio de Janeiro’s Civil Police and Public Prosecutor’s Office targeted a group of contract killers suspected of executing a lawyer in downtown Rio in 2024. Seven suspects, including three military police officers, were the subjects of 19 search warrants. The group, allegedly tied to organized crime and cigarette smuggling, is believed to be led by a former officer currently on the run. Authorities continue the investigation.
02/04/2025 – On Wednesday (02/04), the Civil Police launched an operation targeting a group suspected of defrauding entrepreneurs through a fake empanada franchise scheme. Agents from the 12th Police Station (Copacabana) executed four search and seizure warrants at luxury condos in Barra da Tijuca, as well as properties in Freguesia and Queimados. Investigators estimate losses at around R$ 1 million, with at least 10 victims identified. According to the police, the group offered franchise opportunities that were never delivered. In one case, a person lost R$ 300,000.
02/04/2025 – A police operation on Wednesday (02/04) targeted a São Paulo-based gang accused of robbing homes in Rio’s South Zone. The group traveled to Rio to commit the crimes, using fake weapons to subdue and tie up victims. Seven people were arrested, including a jeweler in Rio who allegedly bought stolen jewelry.
02/04/2025 – A man was stabbed on Wednesday afternoon (02/04) inside the restroom of West Shopping, in Campo Grande, West Zone. According to the mall administration, the incident occurred during a fight between two men, which was broken up by security guards. One of them stabbed the other and was detained on-site.
02/04/2025 – An 11-year-old boy was shot on Wednesday evening (02/04) while playing soccer in a courtyard inside a condominium, located on Rua Hélio Amaral, in Realengo, West Zone. Witnesses reported heavy gunfire in the area around 20:30. The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear.
02/04/2025 – Four days after being released from prison, a man with 24 prior criminal records attempted to burglarize an apartment in Jardim Guanabara, Ilha do Governador, on Wednesday (02/04). Using a window grate, he scaled a wall over three meters high and entered through an open window. The apartment belonged to the building’s janitor. While trying to flee, he fell and injured himself. Though nothing was stolen, the suspect was recognized by witnesses and caught shortly after.
02/04/2025 – Two trans women were arrested in Copacabana on Wednesday (02/04) for extorting a 55-year-old Norwegian tourist by threatening to release intimate videos. According to police, the extortion began on 22 March, totaling around R$ 35,000 in losses for the victim, with attempted demands reaching up to R$ 80,000. The suspects approached the tourist at his hotel, where they were caught in the act by officers from the Tourist Support Police (Deat). Two additional suspects remain at large.
03/04/2025 – A military police officer was found shot dead inside his car on Avenida Brasil, near Vila Kennedy, West Zone, early Thursday morning (03/04). The vehicle was discovered with its doors open and multiple bullet holes. The victim, identified as a PM from the 41st Battalion (Irajá), had a pistol placed on his body.
04/04/2025 – A man was shot and killed on Friday (04/04), after attempting an armed robbery in Botafogo, South Zone. According to initial reports, a federal police officer reacted to the attempted robbery at the corner of Rua Mena Barreto and Rua Sorocaba, shooting the suspect, who was carrying a replica firearm.
