RIO DE JANEIRO SECURITY INCIDENTS – MAY MONTHLY BULLETIN

03/05/2025 – On Saturday (03), in Copacabana, police thwarted a planned bomb attack targeting Lady Gaga’s concert, which drew over 2 million attendees. The main suspect was arrested in Rio Grande do Sul for illegal possession of a firearm; his intended targets included children, teenagers, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. A teenager was also apprehended in Rio for possessing child pornography. Operation Fake Monster seized digital devices, a weapon, and led to charges including terrorism, incitement to crime, and hate-related offenses.

03/05/2025 – On Friday (03), in the Vila dos Sargentos area of Ilha do Governador, Zona Norte, Air Force Sergeant Alexandre da Costa Piedade was fatally stabbed at least eight times after being mistaken for a military police officer. The attacker reportedly fled and falsely claimed to traffickers in the Barbante community that he had killed a PM. Realizing the victim was an Air Force sergeant, the traffickers beat the criminal and abandoned him on Estrada das Canárias. He is under custody at Hospital Municipal Evandro Freire. The case is being investigated as a homicide.

04/05/2025 – A homemade grenade was found abandoned on Sunday (4), on Rua Petrocochino, in Vila Isabel, North Zone. Alerted by residents, the Military Police secured the area and called in the Bomb Squad, which safely detonated the device. The explosive was discovered near the Morro dos Macacos community. An investigation has been conducted, but no suspects have been identified so far. No criminal charges have yet been announced.

04/05/2025 – On Sunday (4), five Paraguayan nationals were arrested at the Rio Bus Terminal, for transporting drugs from São Paulo. Civil police from the 33rd DP (Realengo) seized 37 bricks of marijuana hidden in two suitcases. The men were caught as they disembarked from an interstate bus and were charged with drug trafficking and criminal association. According to the investigation, they supplied Rio-based criminal factions, and one suspect had a prior arrest for international drug trafficking.

04/05/2025 – On Saturday night (4), sixteen people were arrested during Operation “Rastreio” in downtown Rio de Janeiro, particularly in the Uruguaiana area, for crimes of receiving stolen goods and criminal association. The group was responsible for stealing and unlocking cell phones, using the victims’ banking apps to make fraudulent transfers. Among the 200 seized phones, one was stolen during Lady Gaga’s concert in Copacabana. Authorities also confiscated R$ 10,000, laptops, and unlocking tools. Several suspects were awaiting others who planned to commit thefts during the show.

07/05/2025 – On Wednesday (7), police arrested a man in Barra da Tijuca for rape and blackmail after he coerced a woman into sex by threatening to release her intimate images. Investigators from the 17th Police Station revealed that the suspect posed as another person online and demanded the victim have sex with someone he claimed to have chosen—who was, in fact, himself. He recorded the encounter and used it to further intimidate the woman. The man faces charges of rape and unauthorized recording of sexual intimacy.

07/05/2025 – On Wednesday evening (7), a violent clash between Flamengo and Vasco supporters broke out on Avenida Santa Cruz, in Senador Camará, West Zone. At least three gunshots were fired during the fight, which followed an exchange of punches and kicks between rival groups. One man was seen pulling a gun and firing into the street, as captured in videos taken by residents. The chaos caused panic among pedestrians and drivers, some of whom drove the wrong way to escape. No injuries or arrests have been confirmed so far.

08/05/2025 – On Thursday (8), Celso Luiz Rodrigues, known as Celsinho da Vila Vintém, a longtime drug trafficker and founder of the Amigos dos Amigos (ADA) faction, was arrested by civil police in Padre Miguel, West Zone. Authorities say he allied with the rival Comando Vermelho (CV) and a militia group to retake strategic drug territories in Curicica. Celsinho is accused of forming a criminal association with CV leader Doca and Militia Boss Boto, using heavy arms, violence, and coordinated operations. His arrest is part of Operation Contenção, targeting CV’s territorial expansion.

08/05/2025 – On Thursday (8), a former Segurança Presente agent was shot dead on Rua Francisco Siqueira, in Inhaúma, North Zone. He was ambushed by two men while riding his motorcycle, who shot him multiple times in the head before setting the bike on fire. Nothing was stolen. The Homicide Division is investigating the case.

09/05/2025 – On Friday (9), near the Santos Dumont Airport in downtown Rio de Janeiro, a man threatening pedestrians with a sickle was shot by a military police officer after attempting to attack him. The incident occurred on Avenida Marechal Câmara, following reports made to the 5th BPM (Centro). The man was seriously injured and is hospitalized at Hospital Souza Aguiar. The case is being investigated.

09/05/2025 – On Friday (9), five people were arrested in the act for credit card fraud during a System of a Down concert at the Nilton Santos Stadium (Engenhão), in Engenho de Dentro, North Zone. They were caught by 3rd BPM officers with five cell phones, two card machines, and seven bank cards. The suspects were taken to the 25th Police Station, and the investigation is being continued by the 24th DP (Piedade).

09/05/2025 – On Friday (9), Fabíola de Andrade Coutinho, 25, was stabbed to death in Benfica, North Zone, after going to a meeting arranged online. Her ex-boyfriend, who has ten prior criminal records, including for stalking and threats, was arrested near the crime scene. The victim’s family believes Sérgio created a fake profile to lure her into an ambush. The case is being investigated as femicide.

09/05/2025 – Between Friday (09/05) and Sunday (11/05), rival factions clashed violently in the Morro dos Macacos, Vila Isabel, North Zone. The shootout on Friday (09/05) left one person dead and two others injured. The one on Sunday (11/05), Mother’s Day, occurred during an attempted invasion. The Capital Homicide Division is investigating the ongoing conflict between Red Command (CV) and Third Pure Command (TCP).

10/05/2025 – On Saturday morning (10/05), in Costa Barros, North Zone, criminals seized a bus and used it as a barricade during a territorial dispute between rival drug factions. According to police, the action aimed to block access to the Complexos do Chapadão and Pedreira, where the Third Pure Command (TCP) operates. In addition to the hijacked bus, dumpsters were set on fire to hinder police entry. No injuries or arrests were reported.

10/05/2025 – On Saturday (10/05), a 27-year-old man was arrested at Galeão International Airport in Rio after arriving from Bangkok, Thailand, with 9 kilograms of skunk hidden in his suitcase. The drugs, valued at R$ 900,000, were concealed in 18 plastic bags and detected during customs inspection.

10/05/2025 – On Saturday night (10/05), a man was killed during a shootout between drug traffickers and militiamen in Rio das Pedras, West Zone. The victim, a 58-year-old resident, was struck amid the crossfire between rival factions.

12/05/2025 – On Monday (12/05), police launched Operation Fallet in Rio de Janeiro to capture a top drug trafficker known as Paulinhozinho, who has 93 criminal records. Though he was not found, three people were arrested and drugs, jewelry, and electronics were seized. Authorities say he manages drug logistics and finances for the Red Command (CV).

14/05/2025 – On Wednesday (14/05), the Federal Police carried out an operation in Belford Roxo (RJ), executing two search warrants at homes linked to a transport company. The action stems from an investigation opened in February after the seizure of a truck in Cachoeira Paulista (SP) containing 38 pistols by the Argentine police. The weapons, diverted in the early 2000s, were hidden in secret compartments. The investigation revealed they were intended for organized crime in Rio de Janeiro.

14/05/2025 – On Wednesday (14/05), Civil Police launched a new phase of Operation “Contenção” in the César Maia community in Vargem Pequena, West Zone, targeting drug traffickers from the Red Command (CV). Residents reported gunfire in the morning. The action aims to disrupt the group’s financial, logistical, and operational structure. A day earlier, ten suspects involved in arms and drug supply for the faction were arrested across four states. Police seized 240 weapons, ammunition, and cash.

14/05/2025 – On Wednesday (14/05), two armed men stole a Jeep Commander in broad daylight on Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, in the Lagoa neighborhood. Surveillance footage shows one of the suspects getting off a motorcycle and threatening the driver, who was stopped in traffic. The criminals fled the scene in the stolen car. One of the suspects had reportedly committed another car theft at the same location two days earlier.

15/05/2025 – On Thursday (15/05), the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPRJ) carried out nine arrest warrants targeting suspects accused of forming a new version of the “Escritório do Crime” (Crime Office), a heavily armed criminal group involved in contract killings. The group is accused of selling seized weapons and ammunition, and of involvement in kidnappings and at least two daytime homicides with military-grade weapons.

15/05/2025 – On Thursday night (15/05), in Santa Cruz, West Zone, a suspect of killing CORE agent João Pedro Marquini was shot dead during a police operation. Civil police officers had gone to his residence to serve a temporary arrest warrant when the suspect reportedly opened fire. In the shootout, he was fatally wounded. The firearm used was seized. Marquini was killed on 30 March during an attempted robbery.

15/05/2025 – A nursing technician at Hospital Getúlio Vargas, North Zone, is accused of raping a patient on Thursday (15/05). According to the victim, he first touched her intimate parts under the pretense of performing hygiene care. Later, he returned to her bed, threatened to inject her with an unknown substance if she reported him, then forced her to perform oral sex. He denied the allegations but was taken to the 22nd Police Precinct (Penha).

16/05/2025 – A man posing as a doctor was arrested on Friday (16/05), in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone. According to police, he had been fraudulently practicing medicine since 2023, presenting himself as a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, and even a gynecologist. He used a medical license number belonging to a doctor from São Paulo. Investigators found that the suspect had treated over 1,600 children at a public clinic in Campo Grande before fleeing when confronted. Most recently, he was working at a clinic inside the Barra Point Shopping Center.

16/05/2025 – Two men were shot on Friday night (16/05) near one of the access points to Morro dos Macacos, in Vila Isabel, North Zone. The area is currently contested by rival drug factions: Third Pure Command (TCP) and Red Command (CV). It is still unclear whether the men were involved in the conflict or were hit by stray bullets.

17/05/2025 – A group broke into a condominium in Jacarepaguá, West Zone, on Saturday night (17/05) to retrieve an illegal hot air balloon. Around the same time in Irajá, North Zone, a burning balloon landed on a condominium’s playground, igniting part of the protective netting around a sports court and causing panic among children. Over the weekend, dozens of illegal balloons were spotted and seized in multiple neighborhoods of Rio and surrounding areas.

17/05/2025 – A woman was intentionally run over in Vigário Geral, North Zone, on Saturday (17/05) in an attempted femicide. Security footage shows a driver accelerating toward the victim before fleeing the scene without providing help. The main suspect is her ex-boyfriend, who has a history of violence against women.

19/05/2025 – A police officer from Rio’s special unit (CORE) was killed on Monday (19/05), during a raid in the Cidade de Deus favela, West Zone. The operation targeted an illegal ice factory producing contaminated products and ended in a shootout with armed criminals. The incident caused the temporary shutdown of the Linha Amarela highway.

19/05/2025 – On Monday (19/05), two men were arrested near Avenida Brasil in São Cristóvão, North Zone, after being caught stealing power cables from the Rio-Niterói Bridge. The suspects, both with multiple prior criminal records, were intercepted by military police following a report and found carrying the stolen material along with a wire cutter used in the theft.

19/05/2025 – A man was shot and killed on Monday (19/05), in Guaratiba, West Zone. The victim was inside a vehicle riddled with bullet holes, especially around the driver’s door and windshield. Military police are investigating the crime.

21/05/2025 – A man was arrested on Wednesday (21/05) on Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, for selling drugs. Following surveillance by the Civil Police’s intelligence unit, officers from the Narcotics Repression Department (DRE) detained the suspect while he carried cocaine, hashish, marijuana, and MDMA. The arrest took place in broad daylight, with undercover officers blending into the beach environment.

21/05/2025 – A woman was arrested on Wednesday (21/05) in Jacarepaguá, West Zone, on suspicion of torturing her elderly mother for years. The victim was found in degrading conditions with visible injuries and unable to speak clearly. Witnesses said the abuse had been ongoing for nearly eight years. The suspect is also accused of misappropriating the victim’s retirement benefits and administering controlled medication without medical authorization.

21/05/2025 – A police chase, on Wednesday (21/05), ended in tragedy on Ponte Nova, at the exit of Ilha do Governador, North Zone, when a fleeing car hit a motorcyclist, causing him to fall from the bridge and die. The suspects’ vehicle, intercepted by officers from the 17th BPM, had been trying to escape after being spotted on Estrada do Galeão. A shootout ensued, leaving three suspects injured and under police custody. Police recovered three rifles, a transmission device, and two ballistic vests.

22/05/2025 – On Thursday (22/05), a man linked to the Red Command was arrested in Inhaúma, North Zone, suspected of executing 74-year-old Andir José de Barros during a crime court judgment. The victim, who suffered from advanced Alzheimer’s, had been wrongly accused of pedophilia and was subjected to torture and execution in October 2023.

22/05/2025 – On Thursday (22/05), civil police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rio de Janeiro launched an operation against a criminal group controlling the Uruguaiana street market in the city center. Nine people were arrested, including the group’s alleged leader — a lawyer who used legal tactics to shield the organization and orchestrate money laundering through shell companies and fake contracts. According to investigators, the group extorted vendors, sold public booths illegally for up to R$80,000, and moved around R$7 million since 2019. Armed enforcers, including a retired civil police officer and a suspended prison guard, helped intimidate non-compliant merchants.

23/05/2025 – On Friday (23/05), two men were killed and a woman critically injured during a shootout between rival gangs in the Morro do Juramento, in Vicente de Carvalho, North Zone. The incident prompted an emergency operation by the Military Police’s 41st Battalion and riot control forces. Authorities link the violence to the ongoing war between the Red Command and the Third Pure Command for territorial control.

TRENDS & ADVICE

• Mass robberies and thefts in tourist spots are some of the most notorious security risks in Rio de Janeiro, especially in the city’s South Zone.
• When moving through crowded places and their vicinities, visitors should be cautious and refrain from exposing valuables.
• 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.
• Rio is famous for its favelas, and most are affected by the presence of gangs. Disputes for territory between rivals and police operations lead to gunfights. Therefore, these locations should never be visited.
  • Shootouts may also occur outside such communities, in this case:
    • Lay on the ground and seek cover behind a solid object, such as the engine block.
    • When it is safe to do so, find the nearest building, stay away from any windows, and 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/biking through tunnels, especially Túnel do Leme.
• As sexual aggressions are on the rise, women should pay special attention to the environments where they go alone and avoid empty and dark places.
• During a night out, never accept offers of food and beverages from strangers, and pay attention to yours, as they can add drugs to them.
  • Men and women alike are targets of such crimes.
• Be always cautious, even in the areas considered safe, such as Downtown, Botafogo, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Barra da Tijuca.
  • Exercise caution in the Centro (downtown) during the day and avoid the area after nightfall and during the weekends, as it is relatively deserted during such periods.
• Be careful when using the GPS, as it may lead you to unsafe areas controlled by organized crime.
  • Remain on the main streets and roads and avoid the rush hours.
  Keep your windows closed.
  • Prefer cooperative taxis instead of driving yourself or using a ride-sharing App.
• Stay away from any protests that normally occur in Av. Presidente Vargas, Av. Rio Branco, Praça da Cinelândia, and Av. Atlântica.
• Attention to scams that may reach you through a WhatsApp message, e-mail, SMS, or a call.
• Keep in mind useful numbers: Emergency police number (190), and Rio de Janeiro tourist Police. Phone: (21) 2332-7949