In the first seven months of this year, the number of robberies inside public transport in the regions of Jacarepaguá and Barra da Tijuca is close to the total number of robberies in the whole of last year, according to data from the Public Security Institute (ISP), which considers data obtained up to July this year. The cumulative figure for 2023 was 573 occurrences, against 407 until July 2024, the latest data available. In Barra, 298 robberies inside public transport were recorded throughout last year, against 230 from January to July 2024. In Jacarepaguá, there were 275 robberies on buses last year, against 177 in the first seven months of this year.
The Military Police reported that they had seized 78 rifles in August 2024. This is the largest quantity of this type of weapon, seized in a month by the corporation, since 2015. In the first eight months of 2024 alone, the troops managed to seize 4,410 weapons in Rio de Janeiro. Of this total, 449 were rifles. Most of the seizures took place in the North and West Zones of Rio.
Data from the Public Security Institute (ISP) revealed that, from January to March this year, 1,747 of these vehicles were stolen in the state, compared to 992 in the same period of 2023 — an increase of 76.1%. The cases are more recurrent in the North Zone and the Baixada Fluminense. Theft records had a slight variation: they were from 1,770 to 1,802, in the same comparison. This means that an average of 39 motorcycles were taken by the bandits per day in the state in the first quarter. Cases of theft are more spread across the Metropolitan Region.
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The state of Rio de Janeiro had, in August, an increase in the main robbery rates, according to data released by the Institute of Public Security (ISP). Two numbers, vehicle and cargo thefts, doubled compared to the same month last year. In August, 2,835 vehicle thefts were recorded, an average of four cases per hour. Compared to August 2023, the index rose 98.5%. Another significant increase was that of cargo thefts, which went from 154 in August last year to 327 in the same month this year: an increase of 112%. In the analysis of the cumulative from January to August, vehicle thefts increased by 23.3% compared to the first eight months of 2023; Cargo theft decreased by 24.4% in the same period.
31/08/2024 – A 19-year-old young man assaulted a 16-year-old teenager in Susana Naspolini Park, in Realengo, in the West Zone, on Saturday (31). He also beat municipal guards (GM). According to GM, the man was detained in the act after chasing the victim, who was accompanied by another young man.
31/08/2024 – A man tried to steal electrical cables and was cornered by residents, on Saturday night (31), on Rua do Rocha, in the Rocha neighborhood, in the North Zone. During the attempted theft, the suspect asked people to call the police for fear of repression. After the confusion, he was arrested by agents of the 3rd BPM (Méier).
31/08/2024 – A shooting attack left four dead and five injured, in the early hours of Saturday (31), in a bar in Turiaçu, in the North Zone. According to residents of the region, members of the Third Pure Command (TCP), from the Serrinha community, would have invaded the Congonha community, dominated by the Red Command (CV), to attack bandits who operate in local drug trafficking.
02/09/2024 – Agents of the 40th BPM (Campo Grande) were called to verify a homicide on Monday night (2) inside a residence in Cosmos, in the West Zone. At the scene, they found the body of a woman. According to preliminary information, the 60-year-old victim had argued with her son, 20, about dating before being stabbed to death and carried to a vacant lot, where her body was burned. The young man was arrested, and his girlfriend, 17, was also apprehended on suspicion of involvement in the crime.
02/09/2024 – A man was shot and died after stealing two vans from the Health Foundation on Frei Caneca Street, in Estácio, Central Region of Rio, on Monday morning (2). He was accompanied by three other accomplices, who managed to escape. The Civil Police believe that the criminals are from Morro do São Carlos, in the same neighborhood.
02/09/2024 – Penal police discovered, on Monday (2), a tunnel that would be used by prisoners to escape from the Vicente Piragibe Penal Institute, in the Gericinó Penitentiary Complex, in Bangu, West Zone. The State Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration (Seap) reported that the excavation would be used for a mass escape of prisoners from the Red Command, who are serving their sentences in a semi-open regime in the unit.
03/09/2024 – A series of police operations and clashes between rival drug traffickers caused the closure of 60 schools in communities in Rio on Tuesday morning (3). The measure occurred after an intense shootout in the Maré complex, in the North Zone, and Salgueiro, in the Metropolitan Region, as well as in Vila Kennedy, in Bangu, in the West Zone. According to the Military Police, BOPE agents work together with the Civil Police in Maré to locate criminals involved in territorial disputes in different parts of the capital. The targets would be traffickers from the Third Pure Command (TCP).
05/09/2024 – Security cameras caught the moment when a criminal, still unidentified, entered a lottery house in downtown Rio, on Thursday (5), surrendered the employees, and took R$ 106,000. The establishment, on Rua da Relação, is in front of the State Secretariat of Civil Police and 100 meters from the 5th DP (Mem de Sá). Nobody was arrested.
06/09/2024 – A 23-year-old woman was shot dead in an attempted robbery on Rua Comendador Guerra, in Pavuna, North Zone, on Friday (6) morning. According to witnesses, she was on her way to work in a neighbor’s car, when she was hit. According to the driver, the bandits shot at the vehicle, hitting the passenger side directly.
06/09/2024 – A retired federal police officer was shot dead on the morning of Friday (6), inside the bus garage of Viação Transurb, in Engenho de Dentro, North Zone of Rio. Jansen Gomes Pinto, 70, was escorting businessman David Ferreira Barata, 67. According to the police, they arrived at the scene in a Land Rover when two criminals on a motorcycle approached. The security guard reacted and exchanged shots with the duo, who managed to escape.
07/09/2024 – A call girl was killed by strangulation, on Saturday (7), in a hotel in downtown Rio. The suspect of the crime was arrested moments later. He confessed to having asphyxiated the victim, claiming to have been the target of extortion practiced by her.
09/09/2024 – A couple was arrested, on Monday (9), for doping monkeys in the Botanical Garden, in the South Zone. According to the investigations, the crime was carried out to capture and later sell the animals at clandestine fairs. The identities of the suspects were not disclosed. According to the Civil Police, they were arrested with tranquilizers and bananas to dope the animals. The pair mixed the medicine with the fruit to attract the monkeys and capture them.
09/09/2024 – Police officers from the 12th Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) of Complexo do Alemão prevented, on Monday (9), the theft of a load of beer valued at R$ 100,000. According to the PM, the team was alerted by drivers about the interception of a truck on Leopoldo Bulhões Street, at the access to the Yellow Line, in Bonsucesso, North Zone of Rio, and arrived in time to prevent the crime. The criminals, who were on a motorcycle, managed to escape.
10/09/2024 – An operation targeted members of a criminal organization of interstate drug trafficking and money laundering, on Tuesday (10). The Federal Police (PF) and the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) served seven search and seizure warrants in Parada de Lucas, Cordovil, and Vila da Penha, in the North Zone, in Itaboraí, in the Metropolitan Region, and Lima Duarte, in Minas Gerais. According to the MP’s complaint, the organization supplied drugs to the community of Vila do Pinheiro, in Complexo da Maré, dominated by the Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP). The leader of the gang was responsible for commanding the accomplices to get vehicles and people to transport the narcotics.
10/09/2024 – “Parazão”, appointed as general manager of the Guaporé community trafficking, in Brás de Pina, in the North Zone, was arrested by Military Police (PMs), at the end of the night of Tuesday (10), in possession of a 7.62 caliber rifle. According to the corporation, the arrest was made during an emergency action by the 16th BPM in the Quitungo slum (Brás de Pina).
11/09/2024 – Bandits armed with rifles broke into an electronics warehouse in Penha, North Zone of Rio, on Thursday (11), and six ended up being arrested by police officers from the Special Roads Battalion (BPVE). During the action, the bandits tied up the warehouse employees. The stolen cargo, valued at R$ 5 million, was partially recovered. Four trucks were used to take the stolen equipment to communities in the region dominated by the Red Command. The criminals fled to the Kelson community. In the escape, they also took an app driver hostage. 20 bandits participated in the robbery and stayed in the warehouse for two hours.
12/09/2024 – The Military Police carried out, on Thursday (12), an operation in the Complexo de Israel, in the North Zone of Rio. The action, according to the corporation, aimed to repress cargo theft and contain disputes over territories. Teams from the 16th BPM (Olaria), units of the Area Policing Command (CPA), and the Special Operations Command (COE) are in the communities of Cidade Alta, Parada de Lucas, Vigário Geral, Pica Pau, and Cinco Bocas.
12/09/2024 – A criminal was arrested, on Thursday at midnight, after stealing 79 cell phones from a branch of Lojas Americanas, in Pavuna. According to the Military Police, agents of the 41st BPM (Irajá) were on patrol on Avenida Pastor Martin Luther King when they noticed the action of three suspects leaving the establishment with the stolen products. During the approach, one of them was arrested and, in the bag he was holding, the police found the cell phones.
12/09/2024 – Agents of the Federal Revenue Service at Rio International Airport, in Galeão, seized on Thursday (12) night 1.65 kg of cocaine in the underwear of a Brazilian passenger. The 24-year-old suspect was trying to board a flight to Paris, France. With this seizure, there are already 314 capsules of cocaine seized in passengers’ underwear in Galeão in September alone, according to the Revenue.
14/09/2024 – The apartment of Aloizio Mercadante, president of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), was invaded on Saturday night (14) in Copacabana. The case is being investigated by the Federal Police (PF). The property was invaded, and items stolen, but Mercadante was not present at the time of the crime. According to information, the suspects also broke into the neighboring apartment. The case was discovered by one of the doormen, who noticed the doors broken in while collecting the garbage and called the authorities. Nothing of value was taken.
14/09/2024 – On Saturday afternoon (14), a couple burglarized two apartments in a luxury building on Avenida Delfim Moreira, in Leblon. The two are suspected of being part of a gang from Minas Gerais and São Paulo that targets high-end residences. According to the images, the couple circulated the building until they identified the empty properties. They used a crowbar to break down the doors.
15/09/2024 – Police officers from the Pacifying Police Command (UPP) of Engenho Novo arrested five suspects on Sunday (15). The action, on Bicuíba Street, also resulted in the seizure of a rifle. According to the PM, the agents received information about armed criminals moving from the Árvore Seca community, in Lins, to Manguinhos, both neighborhoods in the North Zone. When they carried out a siege, they located a vehicle and approached the five occupants.
15/09/2024 – A woman was assaulted, on Sunday (15), on Francisco Sá Street, in Copacabana, after having suffered an attempted robbery. A person tries to stop the aggression and manages to help the victim get up and escape. After she leaves the scene, the suspect seems to pick something up from the ground and joins a group that is nearby. A bus passing through the neighborhood was also targeted by another suspect.
16/09/2024 – A chase followed by a confrontation between military police and criminals ended with a man arrested and another shot in the morning of Monday (16) in Praia da Bandeira, on Ilha do Governador. According to the corporation, agents of the 17th BPM were on patrol in the region when they had their attention focused on a suspicious vehicle leaving the community of Boogie Woogie. With the duo, two rifles and a radio communicator were seized.
16/09/2024 – A Navy soldier is suspected of piloting the trafficking grenade-launching drones for the Red Command (CV). He was arrested on Monday (16), in Complexo da Penha, during an operation launched by the Federal Police (PF). Called Buzz Bomb, the action aimed to repress the use of those grenade-launching drones, remotely piloted by bandits of the Red Command (CV). In addition to the Navy soldier, the agents also captured a second person. During an attempt to comply with more than three search and seizure warrants in the region, PF officers were received by a gunfight.
16/09/2024 – A 21-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her partner in Complexo do Alemão, on Monday afternoon (16). The perpetrator of the crime was arrested. According to witnesses, the case occurred after an argument between the couple.
16/09/2024 – Civil police officers from the Police Station for the Repression of Crimes against Immaterial Property (DRCPIM) and the 19th Precinct (Tijuca) carried out, on Monday (16), an operation at the Uruguaiana Popular Market, in downtown Rio, to recover cell phone devices stolen during Rock in Rio. The agents seized more than 750 cell phones of suspicious origin. Two people were arrested in the act.
17/09/2024 – Criminals entered a building located on Avenida Afonso de Taunay, in Jardim Oceânico, in Barra da Tijuca (West Zone), on Tuesday night (17). A resident was robbed and assaulted by the robbers while using the elevator. His personal belongings were taken. Teams from the 31st BPM (Recreio dos Bandeirantes) were called to the scene.
18/09/2024 – A teenager was shot at the corner of Guilherme Maxwell Avenue with Rua da Gratidão, this Wednesday (18), after her father mistakenly entered the Baixa do Sapateiro community, in Maré. The region is dominated by the Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP). Criminals approached and ordered the driver to stop but, frightened, he accelerated. The criminals then shot fire, hitting the teenager.
18/09/2024 – Agents of the 41st DP (Tanque) carried out, on Wednesday (18), the arrest of a suspect known as Apple Wizard (a reference to the brand). During the action, about R$ 300,000 in electronic devices of the brand, such as cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, and computers, were seized. All the material was found at the suspect’s residence, in Cidade de Deus, West Zone of Rio. The police say that the bandit is the largest receiver of stolen and stolen cell phones in the region of Jacarepaguá (West Zone). According to the investigations, he unlocked the devices, broke into the victims’ checking accounts, and diverted amounts to international accounts.
19/09/2024 – A 31-year-old man was sharing more than 5,000 photos and videos of child and adolescent sexual abuse, in Tijuca (North Zone). The arrest was made on Thursday (19) by the Federal Police (PF), during Operation Prohibited File. According to the PF, the investigation began after police officers discovered the circulation of 38,449 files containing scenes of child and adolescent sexual abuse on internet platforms. From this, they identified that the prisoner shared at least 5,477 photos and videos of this type on the Web.
20/09/2024 – A 17-year-old minor died in a chase followed by a shootout that took place on the morning of Friday (20), in Pilares (North Zone). The car he was in, which was stolen, was destroyed after hitting a wall. According to the Military Police, a pistol and a bulletproof vest cover were found with the suspect.
20/09/2024 – Criminals stole a truck carrying a container with cases of beer on the Linha Amarela at the end of the morning of Friday (20). The bandits forced the driver to go to the Nova Holanda Favela, in Complexo da Maré, where they unloaded the goods. When the bandits realized that the action was being filmed by a news helicopter, they released the driver.
21/09/2024 – A couple was robbed on Saturday night (21), when they were passing in front of the Parish of São Mateus, on Rua Pinto de Campos, in Oswaldo Cruz, in the North Zone. A mass was celebrated in the parish when the crime occurred. According to the Military Police, police officers carried out searches to find the suspect, but nobody was found.
21/09/2024 – Two men died, and two others were injured, after a shootout near the Noel Rosa tunnel, in Morro dos Macacos, in Vila Isabel, in the North Zone, on Saturday afternoon (21). The region has been suffering an intense wave of violence for months due to the dispute over territory between rival traffickers.
22/09/2024 – A criminal was shot in a confrontation with military police on Avenida Dom Hélder Câmara, in Abolição, North Zone, this Sunday (22). The man, unidentified, was hit in the abdomen.
22/09/2024 – Two young men were assaulted and robbed by four bandits on two motorcycles, in the early hours of Sunday (22), on Real Grandeza Street, in Botafogo. Two of the criminals got out of the vehicles (one of them armed) and demanded the victims’ cell phones with the passwords. The young people were assaulted with slaps in the face and one of them was knocked to the ground twice.
22/09/2024 – A candidate for councilor for the PT (Workers’ Party) was robbed at the door of her house, on Rua Doutor Satamini, in Tijuca, late Sunday night (22). The criminals took the car with cell phones and documents. No one was injured. No one was arrested.
24/09/2024 – A military police officer was shot on Tuesday afternoon (24) while dropping off his children at school, on Avenida Raul Barros Vieira, in Bangu (West Zone). Lying on the sidewalk, the victim still had his gun stolen by the shooter who fled.
26/092024 – Civil police officers from the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro carried out an operation on Thursday (26) to serve 37 search and seizure warrants at addresses linked to 17 military police officers suspected of involvement with the militia. According to the Corporation, the military police were linked to a criminal group that operates in the Bateau Mouche Community, in Praça Seca, in Jacarepaguá.
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.
- Be careful when using the GPS as they may lead you to unsafe areas controlled by organized crime. Prefere Cooperative taxis instead of driving yourself.
