A survey carried out by the Public Security Institute (ISP) showed that the State of Rio had a 9% increase in the number of homicides in the first seven months of this year, compared to the same period in 2022. However, 209 deaths were recorded in the last month, which indicates an brief improvement in relation to the same period of last year, which accounted for 297 murders during the month of July. This represents a drop of approximately 30% in the murder rate. Crimes of cell phone theft and missing persons also increased. In 2022, 16,413 thefts were registered and, this year, 18,129, an increase of 10.4%. Missing people were 3,038 last year, against 3,347 currently, an increase of 10.2%.
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Analysis:
The increase is related to the armed dispute over territory in the state. This increase was already expected, since the death of militia member Ecko, both the West Zone and Baixada Fluminense are areas where these homicides are concentrated. The volatility of these disputes produces an increase in deaths. Thus, it is very clear that this increase is related to territorial disputes. From this point of view, it is important that we have government measures that do not intensify conflicts, do not produce more deaths and that are directed primarily towards resolving this homicide and protecting the population residing in these areas.
18/08/2023 – Two people died and three were injured during shootings in communities in Praça Seca, West Zone. The region faces a war between criminals. According to the Military Police, at work to repress the movement of bandits in the woods of the Community of Chacrinha, the troop was received with gunfire and returned the attack. Two rifles were seized. The other shooting took place in the community of Terreirão, in the same region between drug dealers and militiamen.
19/08/2023 – The military police arrested a taxi driver who was transporting pieces of power cables on Avenida São Sebastião, in Urca, South Zone. The corporation claims that the teams already had information that a criminal was stealing wires in the region and fleeing in a taxi. In addition to the cables, a knife, a cell phone, and money were seized.
19/08/2023 – A group of dancers was expelled and attacked by municipal guards when they performed in front of a bar on Avenida Vieira Souto, in Ipanema, South Zone. Members of the group claim that they were performing a dance and that they were forcibly removed from the site by municipal guards.
19/08/2023 – A man was found dead after participating in the Garota Vip event, in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone. His body was found in an Air Force condominium, next to the event. The 35-year-old victim even posted a video during the show on social media.
20/08/2023 – A woman was stabbed during a robbery in Cidade Nova, downtown Rio — a few meters from the administrative headquarters of Rio de Janeiro City Hall. The 24-year-old had just left work and was approached by two men. After injuring her with a knife, the pair fled, taking her belongings.
20/08/2023 – Two line 388 buses (Cesarão x Candelária) had their keys stolen at the final stop, in Santa Cruz, West Zone. According to the Union of Bus Companies of the City of Rio, the vehicles had to be taken to the garage for maintenance.
21/08/2023 – Two employees of a company that provides infrastructure services to Rio de Janeiro City Hall, in the Community of Sandá, Bangu, West Zone, denounced that they were beaten by at least six hooded men. The criminals, according to the victims, are militiamen. The victims said they were at a construction site when they were attacked. A woman, who also works at the site, was spared by the criminals, according to them.
21/08/2023 – A woman in a luxury car committed a series of infractions in an attempt to escape a Prohibition blitz on Avenida Vieira Souto, in Ipanema, South Zone. Motorcyclists alerted the police that the driver was following in a zigzag on the road. The driver tried to escape the agents, but ended up going the wrong way, climbing on the sidewalk, and knocking over a motorcycle.
21/08/2023 – A man was shot when he was at a kiosk on Recreio dos Bandeirantes beach, West Zone. According to witnesses, the criminal passed by the kiosk on Lúcio Costa Avenue shooting at the victim. Regulars in the region believe that the attempt murder may be linked to the dispute between militiamen and drug dealers who work on the beach.
23/08/2023 – Actor Alfred Enoch was robbed with his wife on arrival at the Brazilian Cinema Grand Prix, in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone. The couple was outside the City of Arts when they were attacked. According to the report, a man pulled Enoch’s wife cell phone through the open window.
24/08/2023 – DJ Luís Mattos was the victim of the “Boa Noite Cinderela” (spiked drink) scam in Pedra do Sal, in the Saúde neighborhood, downtown Rio de Janeiro. On social media he said that someone put something in his drink and robbed him. He was taken unconscious to a health unit, where he woke up with injuries to his face and arms.
25/08/2023 – A doorman was killed by a criminal who pretended to be a delivery man to rob a building on Rua Carlos de Carvalho, in downtown Rio de Janeiro. The victim reacted and fought with the criminal but ended up being shot. The crime took place on 7 August and was recorded by security cameras. In the footage, the bandit arrives on a red motorcycle and approaches the gate, carrying a delivery backpack. After a man passes through, the thief secures the gate and gains access to the building. Then he surrenders the doorman at gunpoint. After talking on the phone, he attacks the victim, who then reacts and tries to take the bandit’s gun. The fight lasts a few seconds, until the criminal shoots the doorman, who dies instantly. Afterwards, the criminal takes cell phones and runs away.
