While, in Brazil, the number of murders continues to fall in 2023 (0.7%), data obtained by G1 news portal show that the state of Rio de Janeiro is going against the grain: in the first three months of this year, there was a 15.8% increase in compared to the same period last year. A total of 924 murders were recorded in the 1st quarter of 2023, against 798 recorded between January and March 2022. Victims of the following crimes were included in the number: intentional homicides, robberies followed by death and bodily injuries followed by death.
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Our Analysis:
As previously stated, the war between criminals for control of communities in the West, North and Baixada Fluminense zones is the main reason for the rise in various crimes. A reorganization of the dynamics of crime is under way. The Red Command, the main criminal faction in Rio, is reacting to the militias and, in some cases, teaming up with others to be able to retake territories. Deep down, the moment is one of confrontation, of a new cycle of war that affects the state. In the West Zone, for example, the number of shootings doubled in the first five months of the year.
24/06/2023 – A man was shot dead on Avenida Gilka Machado, Recreio dos Bandeirantes, West Zone. The region, known as Terreirão, has accumulated violent deaths in recent weeks, many of which are linked to disputes between drug traffickers and the militia in the area. The police are still investigating the motive for the crime, but do not rule out that the death is related to the war for control of the neighborhood.
24/06/2023 – Five men were arrested during an operation in the Cidade Alta, Cinco Bocas and Pica-Pau communities, in Cordovil and Brás de Pina, North Zone. There was a record of shooting. The region, known as the Israel Complex, is dominated by the Third Command Pure (TCP) faction. According to the military police, the group was arrested during an approach on Avenida Antenor Navarro.
26/06/2023 – The Military Police carried out an operation in Rocinha, South Zone, on Monday morning, to arrest outlaw bandits from other states, who were hiding in the region. Residents reported that there was shooting since the beginning of the action. The action also aimed to remove barricades from the community’s roads.
26/06/2023 – An operation in the Vila Kennedy community, in Bangu, West Zone, left two dead and five criminals arrested. The police objective was to curb criminal practices in the region. According to the military police, police officers were on patrol along Avenida Joaquim Câmara Ferreira when they were shot at by criminals. Four pistols, ammunition, communicator radios and drugs were seized.
27/06/2023 – A cargo theft ended in a chase and accident on Avenida Cesário de Melo, in Santa Cruz, West Zone. According to the Military Police, officers tried to approach a couple who were stealing a load of cigarettes. During the escape, the vehicle with the thieves crashed into a pole. The two criminals were arrested.
27/06/2023 – Officers from the Copacabana police station arrested a man known as Thais or Fighter, accused of having fired a shot at a volleyball player who was going to urinate in the street, in Copacabana, South Zone. Two other criminals were not found. The attempted murder took place on 14 February of this year. The athlete, who was on his way to Copacabana Beach, stopped near the entrance of a building and positioned himself to urinate. Soon after, the three criminals approach him. The victim was chased, assaulted, and even shot.
27/06/2023 – An app driver who had been missing since Sunday (25/06) was found dead inside his own car, on Rua Aurélio de Oliveira, in Bangu, West Zone, with a gunshot wound. The 30-year-old victim was found in the back seat of the vehicle, with his hands and feet tied, in front of his house. Relatives said he left for work and around 23:00 he stopped responding.
27/06/2023 – Flag bearer Lu Rufino had her belongings stolen while shopping at a mall in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone. Security cameras at the site recorded the moment when two men used a tool to open the trunk of her car and steal several queen and miss tracks.
28/06/2023 – A man who worked as a fryer in a restaurant in Flamengo, South Zone, was arrested for trying to stab to death a cook from the same establishment. According to the police, the blade of the knife used in the crime was 20 centimeters long. The 50-year-old victim was attacked in the afternoon while working. The crime was committed in front of other employees and recorded by security cameras.
28/06/2023 – The Military Police carried out an operation in 10 communities in the North and West Zone. There was a shooting in Realengo. According to the Military Police, teams are in the communities of Vila Vintém, Curral das Éguas, 77, Minha Deusa, Light, Cosme and Damião, Jardim Novo, Rua I, Selvinha and São Bento with the support of an armored helicopter. A criminal died, and with him, a gun and ammunition were seized.
29/06/2023 – Militiaman Leandro Xavier da Silva, 28, known as Playboy da Curicica, was shot and killed after reacting to an action by the Civil Police in Complexo da Maré. According to the police, Playboy was identified as one of the main responsible for the war in Rio West Zone. Two pistols with the numbers shaved off were seized. The criminal had a strong presence in the neighborhoods of Curicica, Terreirão, Rio das Pedras and Muzema, in the West Zone. According to the police, Playboy had distanced himself from Zinho, a militiaman, and allied himself with one of the chiefs of drug dealers from a criminal faction that operates in Complexo da Maré.