A survey made by the Rio de Janeiro Industries Federation (Firjan) shows that cargo theft caused a loss of R$ 388 million to the state last year (2022). In the whole of last year, 4,239 occurrences of cargo theft were recorded. Although the number of cases has decreased, there are still 12 cargo thefts per day on average, in Rio de Janeiro. Cases happen on any day and at any time. The Metropolitan Region concentrates around 97% of the cases. Half of the occurrences are on the main highways in Rio de Janeiro: Washington Luís (BR-040), Avenida Brasil, Via Presidente Dutra and Arco Metropolitano. Another area where there was an increase in thefts was in the Port of Rio. A growth of 70% compared to 2021. The Port of Rio is an important logistics hub for cargo transport in the state, being responsible for handling almost R$ 100 billion in cargo during the year 2022. 284 more occurrences were recorded in 2022 than in 2021, which corresponds to an increase of about 5 cases per week.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
Our Analysis:
The number of robberies is alarming and makes many truck drivers change their route and avoid going to Rio de Janeiro. The damage to the state is approximately R$ 388 million. Not to mention the indirect costs, such as hiring security and insurance against this type of criminal activity. It should also be noted that the theft that takes place on the highway is just one part, a link in a whole chain of illegality that feeds on this kind of theft. It’s not just a loss. The industry that lost that product, that had its product stolen, but it is a socioeconomic loss, it is a loss in terms of lost jobs, opportunities for the development of the state.
24/03/2023 – A 44-year-old truck driver was shot dead on Avenida Brasil, near the neighborhood of Parada de Lucas, North Zone. He traveled from Itaperuna, in the Northwest of the state, to Realengo, West Zone, to deliver a load of milk cartons. Military police found the truck driven by the victim crashed into a wall with the driver already shot.
24/03/2023 – A teenager was shot dead on Rua Araticum, in Anil, in the West Zone. According to the Fire Department, military personnel were triggered and found the boy already dead. On social media, residents said there was a shooting on the road. With this crime, in the last 25 days, six people were murdered and five were injured in two occurrences.
25/03/2023 – Three people were arrested while trying to withdraw R$20,000 at a bank branch in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone. The trio was arrested after the Bank’s Intelligence sector informed the Civil Police about the suspected use of a false document by one of those involved to withdraw the money at the agency.
25/03/2023 – A police chase ended with one criminal dead and three arrested in the Rio 450 Tunnel, which connects the Centro and Saúde neighborhoods, in the Port Zone. According to the Military Police, a vehicle disobeyed a stop order at the end of Aterro do Flamengo. Police officers followed them, starting a shooting. The criminals entered the Rio 450 Tunnel on the wrong way, a siege was set up, and the car was intercepted, but the bandits continued shooting. The driver was hit and killed at the scene. Three other men were arrested.
28/03/2023 – Police officers from Ricardo de Albuquerque police station arrested fifteen people who applied payroll loan scams. The action took place after investigations by the Fraud Sector identified the office, in downtown Rio. By the time the civil police arrived on the scene, the call center was fully operational. In addition to the 15 prisoners, equipment used in the scam and notebooks with personal and bank data and information on victims were seized.
Our Analysis:
According to inquiries carried out by the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police, in the first 45 days of 2023, six clandestine payroll loan centers were closed across the state – an average of one per week. In these actions, 141 people were arrested for crimes such as scam and criminal organization — an average of 23 criminals in each of the companies. In some cases, manuals were seized, with step-by-step instructions on how to convince victims to contract debt and fall victim to scams. Lawyers advise that, when wishing to carry out negotiations involving values, such as loans, people should look for financial institutions recognized in the market and never provide personal and banking information or send documents to strangers, either physically or virtually. The crime of scam is characterized by two conducts: misleading someone or keeping that person in error, using fraud, and leading the victim to a false perception of reality. In this sense, elderly people, less educated or even interested in quick gains can be easily deceived by these criminals, who make promises that will not be fulfilled, only to lead them to error, making them believe in the legal business and obtaining equity advantage undue.
28/03/2023 – Paraguayan mother and son were arrested at Galeão Airport on Ilha do Governador, North Zone, with about eight kilos of cocaine. According to the Federal Police, the two intended to take the drug to Paris, France. The prisoners, aged 67 and 35, entered Brazil with the drug through the border between Paraguay and the municipality of Foz do Iguaçu, in Paraná. Cocaine was in the false bottom of two bags dispatched by them.
28/03/2023 – A cafeteria in the Colégio neighborhood, North Zone, was robbed at the same time as a Military Police patrol passed by — but the police did not notice and did not stop. The robbed fast-food store is on Rua Guiraréia. Two men got out of a vehicle and overtook three employees. One of the bandits took their cell phones and the cash from the cashier. While the other addressed the customers.
29/03/2023 – Employees and customers of a bakery in Morro de São Carlos, Estácio, downtown Rio, were left in the middle of a shooting during a chase between criminals. Four armed men were seen on security cameras chasing an unarmed person on Rua Maia Lacerda. The victim sought refuge in the bakery running behind the counter, the man who followed him also entered the bakery. Cameras recorded more shots. Them the four men flee in a car.
29/03/2023 – Civil Police arrested four people involved in a scam that deceived elderly with the false promise of profits in the resale of quotas and titles of a travel club. The criminal group claimed victims in several states and the damage, according to the police, could reach more than R$ 20 million. Victims were lured by fake websites and phone calls where people posing as employees offered to resell these titles, which they claimed to be at a high price. However, they charged exorbitant fees for transfers and changes, which were false. Officers seized cell phones, electronic devices, a BMW vehicle, a luxury motorcycle, a firearm, ammunition, and cash.
30/03/2023 – A man stole a woman’s purse at a restaurant on Flamengo beach, South Zone. Footage from the security cameras recorded when the criminal passes behind the woman, who was sat at a table. Then he takes her purse, which was hanging. Despite the place being full, no one notices the man’s action.
30/03/2023 – Rio de Janeiro Civil Police arrested four criminals who were part of a gang that applied scams at ATMs. According to investigations, the scam consisted of placing mechanisms to retain the victims’ bank cards at ATMs. Then, a member of the gang would introduce himself, offer help and manage to obtain the victim’s card password. The arrest took place during a performance at a subway station in Tijuca, North Zone.
