Recent crime statistics for the Baixada Santista region reveals mixed trends. Between August 2024 and August 2025, attempted homicides increased from 15 to 20 cases, with Santos recording the highest number at seven, while robbery followed by murder rose from zero to three cases and reported rapes grew from 14 to 16, nine of which occurred in Santos. Year-to-date data (January to August) show a similar pattern: attempted homicides rose from 118 to 140, robbery followed by murder from four to eight, and rapes from 54 to 64, again with Santos leading in all categories. In contrast, several crimes registered sharp declines. Robberies dropped from 774 to 554, reaching their lowest level since 2001, while general thefts fell 21.8%, from 2,911 to 2,276. Vehicle thefts decreased 21.5%, from 306 to 201 cases, homicides fell from 13 to 5, and cargo robberies dropped from 16 to 6, the lowest figure since 2009.
10/10/2025 – PCC Leader and Girlfriend Arrested with R$ 500,000 War Arsenal. The Civil Police arrested a First Capital Command (PCC) leader and his girlfriend with a massive arsenal of military-grade weapons worth approximately R$ 500,000. The weapons were distributed between two properties in Avenida Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, Macuco neighborhood. The arsenal included: various assault rifles, pistols, grenade launcher (extremely rare military equipment), hand grenades, multiple caliber ammunition, large quantities of drugs, and two cell phones. According to Police Chief Leonardo Amorim Rivau from DISE (Specialized Division of Criminal Investigations), “This type of armament, mainly the grenade launcher, is only seen in war combat. It’s military armament and not every Army possesses it”. The PCC leader served as a weapons supplier – when faction members needed arms, they would contact him to transport the necessary equipment to criminals
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10/12/2025 – Residents Demand Increased Security in Northwest Zone. Citizens in Santos’ Northwest Zone have mobilized to demand enhanced security around the Sambódromo Passarela do Samba “Dráuzio da Cruz” area. Residents reported an epidemic of bicycle thefts and robberies by teenagers in the vicinity of the Sambódromo and surrounding condominiums. The community’s desperation led them to install warning banners (which were subsequently removed by City Hall), and the issue was brought to the City Council by Councilman Sérgio Santana (PL). The councilman criticized Santos for not fully adhering to the Muralha Paulista Program, which uses technology for real-time crime monitoring and combat. Santos currently has 3,000 security cameras but only 18 are integrated into the Muralha Paulista system. Councilman Santana emphasized that “the simple fact of knowing that they can be located with more efficiency and speed inhibits criminals from committing crimes”.
14/10/2025 – On Tuesday (14), two men robbed an optical store in the Gonzaga neighborhood. The suspects held two employees hostage, locked them in the bathroom, and fled with cash and several pairs of eyeglasses. One of the assailants, a 40-year-old man, was arrested three days later at his home in São Vicente during a police operation that used security footage and technological tracking to locate him. He confessed to the crime, saying he acted out of desperation due to unemployment and unpaid rent. Police recovered around R$26,000 in stolen goods, a fake firearm, and the clothes worn during the robbery, while the second suspect remains at large.
15/10/2025 – Major Regional Police Operation Nets 101 Arrests. Civil Police conducted a massive operation across 24 cities in the Deinter-6 region (covering Baixada Santista and Vale do Ribeira) between 6:00 on Tuesday (14/10) and 12:00 Wednesday (15/10). The operation involved 394 agents in 138 police vehicles executing arrest warrants, search and seizure orders, and conducting investigations. 101 people arrested, 13 vehicles seized, 8 firearms confiscated, 16.4 kg of drugs apprehended and approximately 259 tons of bulk goods and chemical products seized.
16/09/2025 – Woman Arrested as PCC Treasurer in Santos. The Civil Police arrested Tatiana São José Madureira, identified as the treasurer of the First Capital Command (PCC) in Santos. She was arrested during an operation at a property in the Embaré neighborhood. According to investigations, Tatiana was responsible for financial command and control of the criminal organization. Police seized her cell phone and nine grams of a greenish substance resembling marijuana.
15/10/2025 – On Wednesday (15), Civil Police officers in Santos seized dozens of beer bottles suspected of being adulterated in a commercial establishment on Rua João Pessoa, in the city’s downtown area. The operation was launched after an anonymous tip and found beverages with signs of tampering, expired products, and items stored in unsuitable conditions for consumption. The materials were seized and sent for forensic analysis to confirm possible adulteration and prevent risks to public health.
17/10/2025 – Federal Police Investigates Massacre Threats at Unifesp. The Federal Police launched Operation Campus Seguro to investigate serious threats of violence against the academic community of the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) campus in Santos. The threatening posts included mentions of a “possible massacre” on the Baixada Santista campus and numerous hate-filled manifestations against students and staff.
17/10/2025 – On Friday (17), a 40-year-old man was shot during a Military Police operation in Morro do Pacheco. According to the state’s Public Security Secretariat, the suspect was armed and made a motion to shoot at officers when he was hit. The operation had been launched after police were fired upon in the area the previous day. The man was rescued by emergency services and taken to Santa Casa de Santos.
18/10/2025 – On Saturday (18), Military Police officers seized 174 bottles of adulterated alcoholic beverages — including vodka, gin, whiskey, and beer — in the Castelo neighborhood. Two men were detained after a tip led police to a residence where the falsified drinks were stored, some showing broken seals and missing expiration dates. Additional bottles were found inside two vehicles parked outside. The suspects admitted to purchasing the products in São Paulo to resell them for making cocktails in the region.
21/10/2025 – On Tuesday (21), Operation Octanagem targeted gas stations in Santos and Praia Grande suspected of laundering PCC funds, as part of the wider Carbono Oculto probe. Search warrants were executed at three stations in Praia Grande and two in Santos, with some pumps sealed; in total, 33 stations in the Baixada Santista were among 251 nationwide under investigation. Authorities accuse the network of using shell companies and fuel adulteration to conceal roughly R$52 billion between 2020 and 2024, with an estimated R$7.6 billion in tax fraud. The case, led by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office with federal and state support, remains under judicial secrecy.
25/10/2025 – On Saturday evening (25), a 39-year-old man was fatally stabbed during a street fight in the Embaré neighborhood, near the intersection of Rua Nabuco de Araújo and Avenida Senador Dantas. The conflict began after an argument between two homeless men, when one threw stones at the other’s dogs. The altercation escalated, and the assailant stabbed the victim three times, one of them fatal. Motoboys nearby pursued and surrounded the attacker until police arrived and arrested him. The victim was taken by emergency services to the UPA Zona Leste but died from his injuries.
26/10/2025 – On Sunday (26), a 31-year-old truck driver became the target of a police investigation in Santos, after a shipment of soybean meal for export was found to contain sand and low protein levels. The cargo, expected on October 15, arrived four days late at the Santos Export Terminal. Laboratory tests indicated tampering, suggesting part of the original load had been replaced with cheaper material. The driver, who failed to explain the delay, may face charges of qualified theft. Police seized the truck and cargo as the investigation continues.
26/10/2025 – On Sunday (26), a man was arrested in the José Menino neighborhood after breaking into a tourist’s car in São Vicente and stealing a woman’s bag. The suspect was caught during a GCM patrol, which found the stolen purse and a bicycle—later confirmed to have been stolen as well. The man was taken to the 7th Police District, where he remained in custody. Over the same long weekend, the GCM made three other arrests in Santos for motorcycle theft, drug trafficking, and an outstanding theft warrant.
27/10/2025 – On Monday (27), the Santos Port Authority (APS) warned about a WhatsApp scam offering fake job opportunities at Brazil’s largest port. Scammers pose as recruiters and charge applicants around R$30 for a bogus criminal background certificate. Victims lose money and face embarrassment when realizing the jobs don’t exist. APS clarified it never recruits via WhatsApp, hires only through public exams, and never requests payment. Legitimate job seekers are advised to contact licensed contractors or local employment centers in Santos and Guarujá.
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.
