24/06/2022 – A shootout between military police and criminals closed Avenida Brasil for 20 minutes, near Cordovil, North Zone. The operation, carried out in the communities of Parada de Lucas and Vigário Geral, was intended to prevent the movement of drug dealers.
Our analysis:
There is always an expressive risk of shooting in most police operations. Before leaving home or work, people in the area must also check if shootouts or mass robberies have been related in the past few hours to avoid getting caught in the middle of a dangerous situation. Stray bullets are a real threat in Rio de Janeiro, and the proper security protocols must be followed to guarantee personnel safety like: seeking shelter in nearby buildings; laying down on the floor near robust obstacles; staying away from doors and windows; and giving extra protection to children.
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25/06/2022 – Criminals robbed a gas station in Ramos neighbourhood, North Zone, and forced employees and customers to carry stolen products from the convenience store to their vehicles.
30/06/2022 – Civil Police carried out an inspection operation in junkyards in the North Zone. The action took place after a suspect was arrested for cable theft and robbery during the night, in Santa Cruz, West Zone of the city.
02/07/2022 – A clandestine casino was closed in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone, by the Police. 41 gamblers were arrested, in addition to R$16.190,00 and 107 slot machines seized.
Our analysis:
Some types of gambling have been forbidden in Brazil since 1946. Forbidden games include those that depend exclusively or mainly on luck (such as roulette, dice, slot machines and bingos) and that are not controlled by the IRS. Poker and the lottery are allowed. Some leisure establishments have both legal and illegal gambling games. Even if only legal modalities are present in the establishment, the mere presence of a person in such establishments is enough to cause legal problems.
03/07/2022 – A driver with the windows open at a traffic light in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone, had his cell phone stolen. The robber was at the BRT station. In the video from the security camera, it is possible to see the driver still in motion, slowly stopping at a red light. It is then that the criminal sees the window open, runs and takes advantage of the distraction to get the device. He runs back to the station, which has its glass door open irregularly.
Our analysis:
Never leave your wallet or other valuable objects in places out of direct sight. Criminals seek this type of opportunities to commit thefts. This recommendation should be especially respected in situations in which you are not moving, such as during traffic jams or at red light. It is, also, highly recommended that sensitive data contained in smartphones be reduced to the minimum possible. Bank apps should stay inside hidden folders in the cell phone’s system and only be accessible through password requests. Banks should be informed as soon as possible about the theft or loss of cell phones with these apps installed to secure the victim’s reserves.
05/07/2022 – The Civil Police arrested a suspect of carrying out the scam known as “Boa Noite, Cinderella’ (date-rape drug). He would have spiked a businessman’s drink, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood, West Zone. At the scene, the suspect would have stolen electronic devices, jewelry and designer bags from the victim. The damage was estimated at R$ 70.000,00. Investigations showed that the suspect and the victim met on a dating app back in May.
06/07/2022 – A teenager was injured after criminals tried to steal the family’s car, on Visconde de Niterói Street, near Mangueira Viaduct, North Zone. According to Military Police, criminals were on foot and announced the robbery. The driver was startled and accelerated the vehicle. A criminal shot and wounded the boy.
10/07/2022 – A shooting took place in Leblon neighborhood, South Zone. At least six men were seen running, crawling and one of them firing a rifle on the corner of Borges de Medeiros Avenue and Humberto de Campos Street. After the shooting, four of them get into a luxury car that was parked on the road. According to the Military Police, the first information shows that the armed confrontation was motivated by an attempted robbery.
Our analysis:
Shootings occur frequently in Rio de Janeiro, so you must be prepared for situations like this. If you hear any gunshots, it’s important to get down as fast as possible. Thus, minimizing the chances of being hit. Then it is necessary to identify where the shots are coming from, without this there is the risk of going towards the shooter. Then, ideally, crawl and seek shelter behind solid structures, such as concrete or steel structures. Protection should not be sought behind places that can be easily punctured, such as glass, acrylic sheet, or aluminum. If the shooting starts and the person is inside the car, they should also crouch as low as possible. The ideal, however, is to open the vehicle door, slide through the seat and lie on the floor. If there is safety, it is best to move away from the car because of the risk of fire due to the fuels.
11/07/2022 – The Civil Police released an American judge held captive after being kidnapped in Copacabana, South Zone. During the investigations, police found that the victim had received, in the morning, prostitutes in the flat where he was staying. In the afternoon, they returned to the victim’s building accompanied by two men. The criminals surrendered the American, stole money, took him to an unknown location and began to demand a ransom of R$200,000 for the victim’s release. After a few hours of investigation and negotiation, the judge was released by the police without payment. Erivaldo Juvino Silva, known as Nem da Malvina, was arrested for the crime, he is pointed out as the main head of a militia that operates in Jacarepaguá, West Zone.
12/07/2022 – A shooting scared drivers on Avenida Brasil in Realengo, in the West Zone. The confrontation, which involved police forces and criminals, forced the road’s closure. According to Military Police, officers were alerted about a vehicle theft, when “in joint action they carried out a tactical siege on Avenida Brasil, close to the Realengo neighborhood, being attacked by firearm shots”.
12/07/2022 – Councilwoman Verônica Costa’s car was the target of an attempted robbery on Brasil Avenue, near Fazenda Botafogo, North Zone. The vehicle was hit by at least two shots.
13/07/2022 – A security camera captured the moment in which three thieves robbed customers of a cafeteria in São Cristóvão, North Zone. The crime happened around 20h.
16/07/2022 – A man was robbed and assaulted in Todos os Santos neighborhood, North Zone. Security camera images show how in a few seconds, a criminal gets out of a parked car and approaches the boy, who falls to the ground. A second partner arrives wearing a hood in an attempt to hide his face. They take all belongings out of the victim’s pockets. One of the robbers even slaps the victim in the face. Even the wedding ring and sneakers were taken.
17/07/2022 – Military Police managed to prevent a double kidnapping in Pilares neighborhood, North Zone. According to the corporation, they were on patrol at the Linha Amarela exit when a man, in a moving car, shouted that he was being kidnapped by two criminals. Teams carried out a tactical siege and, upon approaching the vehicle, one of the suspects fled to a house in the region and took a resident hostage. The agents managed to control the situation and found that the weapon used in the crime was fake.
Our analysis:
Kidnapping is a criminal modality, in which the perpetrators dominate the victims to steal money, checks, car, credit cards, cell phones and other belongings. Here are some tips to avoid this type of crime:
- When getting out of your vehicle or getting into it, make sure you are not being observed. Victims are often attacked the moment they put on their seat belts or turn their attention away from the street to start the car.
- Watch out for intersections. When approaching a traffic light, reduce your speed to allow time for the green light to appear. Never get too close to car in front of you, to have room for a manoeuvre, and prefer the left side of the lane.
- Do not stay inside the vehicle when parked. Don’t park where you can’t get out quickly.
- Drive with the doors locked and the windows closed.
- Do not stop the car to discuss after a sudden stop or even small crashes, especially at night.
- As you approach your garage, if you notice any suspects, take a few turns before entering the house. If he remains at the scene, call the police.
- And most importantly: never resist, especially because most criminals do not act alone.
17/07/2022 – A student was assaulted by a man at a party in Gávea, South Zone, after complaining that he was urinating near her. She says that when asking him to respect her and other people present and not urinate in public during a party at the Rio de Janeiros’ Jockey Club, she was punched four times in the face. The two were taken to the Gávea police station to register the case.
18/07/2022 – All accesses to Lapa, in downtown Rio, were closed on Monday night (18) due to a police incident. Earlier, a Civil Police operation in the region ended with one man dead. Witnesses said there was no shooting. After the man’s death, riots and protests were recorded in Lapa. Burning barricades were used to close off some streets in the neighborhood. In addition to the Civil Police, teams from the Military Police, including the Shock Battalion, took part in the operation. Some people were trapped inside a hotel and could not get out during the riot.
21/07/2022 – The Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) and the Special Operations and Resources Coordination (Core), elite groups of the Military and Civil Police, are in Complexo do Alemão in a joint operation to combat vehicles, cargo and banks thefts. Nineteen people have died, including a police officer. According to a spokesman for the Military Police, the shooting lasted more than 13 hours. This can be considered the fourth deadliest operation in history, after the operation in Jacarezinho in May 2021 (28 dead); in Vila Cruzeiro in May 2022 (25 dead) and another in Complexo do Alemão in June 2007 that left 19 dead.
23/07/2022 –A man’s body was found by military police in República Square, downtown Rio. People close to the victim said that the lawyer was stabbed after being robbed, as he was leaving after meeting with friends in Tiradentes Square.
26/07/2022 – Civil Police arrested two men suspected of breaking into homes and kidnappings in the South Zone. For this, they pretended to be painters offering their services. Once inside the houses, they threatened the victims with a weapon and immobilized them with a tape. The freedom of the residents would be only obtained through a payment via pix. They were arrested in Morro do Fallet/Fogueteiro,downtown Rio.
28/07/2022 – A man – identified by the victims as the “orange motorcycle robber” – is wanted by the police for attacking women in neighborhoods in the South Zone of Rio. Security cameras recorded the action of the criminal, who usually wears a coat and corners the victims on the sidewalk against the buildings.
29/07/2022 – A suspect was injured during an attempted robbery. He attacked a military police officer in downtown Rio. The thief tried to steal the officer’s car on a street near the Rio de Janeiros’ Sambódromo. The officer reacted, there was a shooting, and the suspect was injured.
TRENDS & ADVICE
- During summer months, mass robberies and thefts in touristic spots become the most prevalent security risks in Rio de Janeiro, specially in the city’s South Zone.
- Crowded beaches and its vicinities should be avoided.
- Avoid any display of wealth (jewelry, cell phones), but always carry a small amount of money (R$50) to hand over to muggers.
- In case of robbery: cooperate, do not try to run after the assailant as he or she might not be alone or turn violent.
- In the case of being in the immediate vicinity of a shootout:
- Lay on the ground and seek cover.
- When it is safe to do so, find the nearest building, stay away from windows, do not move unless you are sure that the gunfire has ended.
- Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas or beaches after nightfall. Avoid walking through tunnels.
- Avoid the vicinity of crime-prone areas such as ‘communities’ (so-called ‘favelas’) and lower-income neighborhoods.
- Be always cautious, even in the areas considered safe such as Downtown, Botafogo, Copacabana and Ipanema. Exercise caution in the Centro during the day and avoid the area after nightfall and on Sundays.
