In recent weeks, university students in the Boqueirão neighborhood of Santos have faced a surge in violent robberies, especially near Rua Oswaldo Cruz and Avenida Conselheiro Nébias, where multiple campuses are located. Assailants, often armed and using bicycles, target students commuting between home and school. One medical student reported classmates being robbed at gunpoint even during daylight. The incidents have increased fear among students, especially after two freshmen were reportedly kidnapped in Guarujá. The state’s Public Security Secretariat reported 379 arrests.
04/05/2025 – On Sunday morning (4), a 56-year-old retiree was physically assaulted by a neighbor inside their condominium building in the Embaré neighborhood, after returning from the beach. The attack occurred in the entrance hall when the victim asked about some delivered packages and was met with punches and kicks. The aggression only stopped when other residents intervened. The victim was taken to UPA Zona Leste, and the aggressor to UPA Central, both assisted by emergency services and police. A criminal complaint is being prepared.
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07/05/2025 – On Wednesday (7), in Vila Belmiro, an off-duty military police sergeant murdered his 42-year-old wife inside a dermatology clinic, stabbing her around ten times and shooting her. Their 10-year-old daughter was also shot and hospitalized with injuries to her leg and shoulder, but is in stable condition. The attack occurred during a medical consultation after a domestic dispute; the sergeant surrendered to police at the scene. He was arrested in flagrante and is charged with femicide and attempted child homicide.
11/05/2025 – On Sunday (11/05), in downtown Santos, a man was caught in the act after stealing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment from a store on Rua Itororó. He was spotted by the Municipal Civil Guard pushing a supermarket cart filled with stolen items near the Monte Serrat clinic. Upon questioning, he confessed to the theft.
12/05/2025 – On Monday (12/05), two men were arrested in Vila Mathias after stealing from a supermarket on Rua Carvalho de Mendonça. Municipal Guard agents found them pushing a cart loaded with stolen goods, including diapers, cigarettes, meat, chocolate, and hygiene products. The suspects admitted to breaking into the store and committing the theft.
16/05/2025 – An elderly woman was assaulted in broad daylight while entering her building on Rua Clay Presgrave do Amaral, in the Gonzaga neighborhood, around 14:00, on Friday (16/05). Surveillance footage shows two criminals on bicycles; the second one snatched a chain from her neck while she waited at the building entrance.
18/05/2025 – For nearly three years, the Macuco neighborhood has faced a rise in home invasions and thefts, leaving residents feeling unsafe. The most recent incident occurred on Sunday (18/05). when three hooded men broke into a house and stole bicycles. One resident reported being targeted three times.
19/05/2025 – A man identified as a leader of the First Capital Command (PCC) was shot in the arm while resisting arrest on Monday (19/05) in the Ponta da Praia neighborhood. During the operation, he allegedly tried to disarm a civil police officer and flee in her vehicle. The officer responded by firing and injuring him. Authorities seized his car and two cell phones.
20/05/2025 – On Tuesday (20/05), a 30-year-old man was arrested in Ponta da Praia, for managing funds linked to Pix scam operations. According to police, he acted as a “conteiro,” responsible for withdrawing and depositing fraudulent money into rented accounts. During the operation, officers seized 48 bank cards, electronic devices, deposit receipts, and a stolen cellphone.
22/05/2025 – On Thursday (22/05), Brazil’s Federal Revenue seized 664 kg of cocaine at the Port of Santos. The drugs were hidden inside a shipment of 100 tons of hydrocarbon resin bound for the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. Cocaine bricks were found inside several of the 4,000 sacks checked. No arrests were made.
TRENDS & ADVICE
- Be cautious when in the vicinity of Embaré, Ponta da Praia, Campo Grande, Rádio Clube, Downtown, and Estuário.
- Never visit neighborhoods on the hills, such as Morro de São Bento, Jabaquara, Saboo, and others, since they are gang-controlled zones where shootouts occur frequently.
- Avoid passing near the VLT tunnel, in José Menino, as many drug users and homeless people stay there, especially next to the walls of the Clube dos Ingleses.
- The waterfront has many incidents of thefts and robberies (snatch and run), never display wealth, and avoid walking there during the night.
- During the Summer, risks increase, due to the bigger number of beachgoers.
- Residences in the neighborhoods of Pompeia, Gonzaga, Boqueirão, Embaré, Aparecida, Estuário, and Ponta da Praia are frequently targeted by thieves who look for bikes and items in the common areas.
- Make sure your building is well protected, with a 24/7 doorperson.
- Be cautious at all times, including in areas perceived as safe.
- Always carry a small amount of money (R$50) to hand over to muggers if attacked.
- In case of robbery: cooperate, do not try to run after the assailant, as they might be armed or resort to violence.
- In case of kidnapping:
- Cooperate in order to mitigate the risk of violence, and do not lie or provide false information to your kidnappers.
- Bear in mind that the vast majority of kidnappings are financially motivated, and nowadays they tend to be quick and focused on forcing the victims to transfer money using their cell phones.
- Attention to scams that may reach you through a WhatsApp message, e-mail, SMS, or a call.
