Street robbery in Botafogo increased by 71% in February 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, according to the Public Security Institute (ISP). The data includes thefts targeting pedestrians, cell phones, and incidents on public transport. To reduce the risk, residents are advised to avoid using phones in public and to remain vigilant, especially when walking alone or at night.
10/04/2025 – On Thursday (10), security footage captured a man being surrounded and threatened by three thieves on two motorcycles on Rua Cruz Lima, in Flamengo, South Zone. One of the assailants pointed a gun at the victim, who was forced to hand over his belongings. This type of crime is increasingly common in the neighborhood, with residents reporting a surge in nighttime motorcycle robberies that put pedestrians at serious risk.
11/04/2025 – On Friday (11), armed criminals robbed a Samu ambulance in Vila Kennedy, West Zone, stealing a tablet used by medical staff during emergency calls. The crew was unharmed and reported the incident to the police. A police operation against organized crime was launched in the area shortly after the incident.
11/04/2025 – On Friday (11), a clash broke out between municipal guards and street vendors at Largo da Carioca, in downtown. Videos circulating on social media show a vendor on the ground being struck with batons, while others were dispersed with pepper spray. One person filming the incident had a taser pointed at them. According to city authorities, the footage will be reviewed to assess the conduct of the officers involved.
11/04/2025 – On Friday (11), a 26-year-old woman wanted for drug trafficking was arrested by civil police during her partner’s funeral at the Padre Cézare Vigezzi Cemetery in Itaguaí, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. She is accused of distributing cocaine for the PCC in areas controlled by the Comando Vermelho. Her partner, described as a “man of war” for the CV, had been killed earlier that day in a confrontation with police. According to investigators, the suspect remained trusted by leaders of both factions despite previous arrests.
12/04/2025 – On Saturday (12), two men were arrested on Praça Deodoro, in the Glória neighborhood, South Zone, with 200 kilograms of copper cables of unverified origin. The arrest took place near the Deodoro da Fonseca monument during a routine patrol by municipal agents. A third suspect managed to escape. One of the detained men had already been arrested ten times for cable theft.
12/04/2025 – On Saturday (12), a couple was arrested in Tomás Coelho, North Zone, suspected of involvement in the death of their 2-year-old son. The child was brought dead to a maternity hospital on April 9, with signs of abuse. The couple had a prior restraining order due to a previous attempted homicide investigation but were still in contact with the child. Authorities charged them with mistreatment and homicide, and a temporary arrest warrant was issued.
12/04/2025 – On Saturday night (12), a woman was assaulted while attempting to escape a robbery on Rua Sorocaba, in Botafogo, South Zone. Security footage shows two men on motorcycles surrounding and attacking her when she tried to flee, dragging her by the hair and throwing her to the ground. Despite nearby traffic, the assailants were undeterred. The incident is under investigation, and police have reinforced patrols in the area.
14/04/2025 – In the early hours of Monday (14), a man was caught in the act after breaking into a residential building on Rua Prudente de Morais in Ipanema, South Zone. Injured while climbing over a wall, he left a trail of blood in the hallways and managed to enter a temporarily unoccupied apartment. Residents alerted the police, who found him inside the unit. No theft was reported.
14/04/2025 – On Monday (14), civil police and city officials removed five illegal gates installed by militia groups in Rio das Pedras, West Zone. The gates were part of an extortion scheme where residents were charged up to R$400 for keys, plus monthly “security” fees. The operation followed a public report exposing the growing number of gates—now around 15, with plans for 80. The militia also forces residents to pay for basic services like gas, water, and internet. Investigations are ongoing, and residents remain under constant threat.
15/04/2025 – On Tuesday (15), a heavy shootout broke out between civil police and armed traffickers during a major operation in the Tabajaras community, between Copacabana and Botafogo, South Zone. Elite CORE officers and helicopters advanced into the area to arrest suspects linked to the murder of officer João Pedro Marquini, a CORE agent who was brutally executed during a robbery in late March. Five suspects were killed, including “Cheio de Ódio,” a local drug boss described as extremely violent. Three others were arrested, and weapons seized. Gunfire forced streets to close and schools to shelter children indoors. The suspects, allegedly tied to the Comando Vermelho, reacted violently as police closed in, highlighting growing tensions in urban areas controlled by drug factions.
15/04/2025 – On Tuesday (15), Brazil’s Federal Police arrested a 70-year-old man in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, for promoting Nazism by selling Nazi-themed items online. The suspect had been offering flags, emblems, and other objects bearing swastikas, which were seized during a search of his home. He was charged with the crime of Nazi propaganda, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine.
