Concessionaire Light reported on Friday (25) the theft of 135 km of underground electricity and telecommunications cables between 2024 and April 2025, causing outages, surges, and power cuts, particularly in Ipanema, Copacabana, Downtown, and Barra da Tijuca. In just the first four months of 2025, 58,000 meters were stolen. For comparison, telecom companies lost 504,000 meters of cables in 2022, 137,643 in 2023, and 50,198 in the first half of 2024, according to Conexis. These crimes directly disrupt essential services like hospitals and public transport. The figures show concerns for year-on-year fluctuations, despite an overall downward trend.
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17/04/2025 – On Thursday (17), a shootout between military police and criminals in the Muzema community, in Itanhangá, West Zone, ended with two suspects arrested, one of whom was a fugitive. Officers seized three assault rifles, two grenades, and ammunition. The area is currently plagued by violent territorial disputes between drug traffickers and militias.
17/04/2025 – On Thursday (17), a police operation targeting vehicle theft sparked an intense shootout in the Serrinha community of Madureira, North Zone. Gunfire was reported from 06:20, with officers from the 9th, 41st, and 14th BPM involved. Criminals reportedly used homes in forested areas for ambushes. The violence disrupted four schools and at least two local health clinics.
17/04/2025 – On Thursday morning (17), three men were killed in a shootout with BOPE officers during a police operation in the Faz Quem Quer community, in Rocha Miranda, North Zone. The suspects, including two local gang leaders, were allegedly involved in the March killing of PM Third Sergeant Everton Brasil Pitombeira. Police also arrested three other individuals and seized three rifles, a pistol, a revolver, and drugs. The operation aimed to curb escalating conflicts between rival factions in the area.
17/04/2025 – On Thursday (17), the armored vehicle of a federal deputy was shot at by armed criminals in the Antares favela, in Santa Cruz, West Zone. The lawmaker was not injured. According to the police, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, and the shooter has not yet been identified. The incident was registered at the 36th Police Precinct, and investigations are underway.
17/04/2025 – On Thursday (17), during an operation targeting drug trafficking in the Terreirão neighborhood of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, West Zone, civil police raided key points controlled by the Comando Vermelho faction. One suspect opened fire on officers and was shot dead; another was arrested with drugs, a pistol, and radios used for criminal coordination. The arrested individual was taken into custody and charged with drug trafficking and criminal association.
18/04/2025 – Three men robbed an app-based driver in Cidade de Deus, West Zone, on Friday night (18). During the ride, the assailants placed a knife to the victim’s neck and took control of the vehicle. After the driver was released and alerted the police, officers located the stolen car near the community. The suspects attempted to flee but were caught and arrested shortly after. A knife, replica firearm, stolen phones, and the car were recovered.
19/04/2025 – On Saturday (19), a visitor was arrested while attempting to smuggle marijuana into the Dom Bosco Youth Detention Center on Ilha do Governador, North Zone. The drugs were hidden in a money belt. This marks the second consecutive weekend authorities intercepted drug smuggling attempts at the facility.
20/04/2025 – A man suspected of involvement in the killing of civil police officer João Pedro Marquini was arrested on Sunday (20), in Bangu, West Zone. Identified as one of the targets of a major police operation, the suspect initially gave false identification to officers but was exposed with the help of military police intelligence. A rifle and two pistols were also seized. Marquini, a CORE officer and husband of a judge, was assassinated on March 30 in Barra de Guaratiba.
21/04/2025 – Three criminals mugged a woman around 16:00 on Monday (21). The incident took place on Rua das Laranjeiras, in Laranjeiras, near Cosme Velho, South Zone.
21/04/2025 – A shooting occurred early Monday (21) at Rua João Luso, near Praça Centenário in Realengo, West Zone, when a man opened fire on a woman and a man, allegedly because he believed he was being filmed. Surveillance footage shows the suspect shouting “Are you going to film me?” before firing multiple times. The two victims sustained minor injuries and were taken to Hospital Municipal Albert Schweitzer, where they were later released. The shooter was arrested at the scene by Military Police and charged with attempted homicide.
23/04/2025 – On Wednesday (23), at a bus stop located on Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva, in Leblon, South Zone, a man committed an act of extortion and theft. He threatened his victim to force a transfer of R$ 2,000 via Pix, in addition to stealing a gold chain and headphones. The aggressor was arrested in the act by the police.
24/04/2025 – A major police operation targeting cable theft sparked intense shootouts on Thursday morning (24) as officers attempted to carry out court orders in the Fallet-Fogueteiro (Rio Comprido), and Andaraí, both in North Zone. Teams from Rio’s Civil Police, with support from Paraná state agents, were met with gunfire as they moved in to serve five arrest warrants and 46 search and seizure orders. The second phase of Operation “Caminhos do Cobre” led to the arrest of five individuals tied to a sophisticated criminal group that used trucks and fake utility uniforms to steal underground telecom and power cables. Authorities also seized large quantities of stolen material and ordered the freezing of R$ 200 million in assets linked to the scheme.
24/04/2025 – A man was arrested on Thursday morning (24) in the Rio das Pedras community, West Zone, during a Civil Police operation targeting a “romance scam” case. The suspect allegedly extorted R$ 500,000 from a woman in Pará, who believed she was in an online relationship with a foreigner. The victim made multiple transfers, thinking she was helping her partner. Investigations revealed the suspect laundered the money through a cryptocurrency company and operated on behalf of a Nigerian criminal group. Police also seized his phone, which will be examined as part of the ongoing probe into fraud and money laundering.
24/04/2025 – On Thursday (24), during a BOPE operation in Gardênia Azul, in the Jacarepaguá neighborhood, West Zone, a confrontation led to the death of a suspect. According to the Military Police, the man participated in an attack against police teams arriving in the community controlled by drug traffickers. The operation resulted in the seizure of weapons, ammunition, drugs, and other illicit materials. The aim of the operation was to repress criminal activity in the area.
