Between 30 January and 2 February, 827 vehicle robberies were recorded across the state of Rio de Janeiro, averaging 206 robberies per day. The 798 robberies from Thursday to Sunday reflect a 168% increase compared to the same period in 2024 when 298 vehicles were stolen. In 2024, the state recorded an average of 90 car robberies per day, totaling over 28,000 robberies, the highest number in the past five years, according to data from the Public Security Institute (ISP).
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Areas with the Most Reports
Between Thursday (31/01) and Sunday (02/02), the areas with the highest number of vehicle robberies reports were: 20th BPM (Mesquita), 7th BPM (São Gonçalo), and 15th BPM (Duque de Caxias).
Number of Reports per Day
- Thursday (01/30): 174 robberies
- Friday (01/31): 192 robberies
- Saturday (02/01): 210 robberies
- Sunday (02/02): 222 robberies
Most Recent Case
On Monday (03/02), Alexander de Araujo Carvalho, a 46-year-old agent of the General Department of Socio-Educational Actions (Degase), was shot and killed during a mass robbery on the Linha Amarela highway. The criminals fled toward Complexo da Maré, taking his firearm and two stolen vehicles.
Increase in Car Insurance
Due to the 39% rise in vehicle robberies in 2024, car insurance prices have increased in several areas, according to the National Federation of General Insurance (Fenseg).
Most Stolen Car Models
The 10 most stolen vehicle models in Rio de Janeiro:
- Hyundai HB20
- Jeep Renegade
- Jeep Compass
- Fiat Argo
- Chevrolet Onix
- Ford Ecosport
- VW Virtus
- Fiat Uno
- VW Voyage
- VW T-Cross
New Robbery Model
Investigations show that gangs are involved in a new type of vehicle robbery. Criminals advertise the sale of a car, arrange a meeting with the potential buyer, and then commit robbery and extortion. Last year alone (2024), more than 30 cases of this nature were recorded by the police in the Belford Roxo region. So far, 13 people have been identified.
Criminal Factions
According to Civil Police Secretary Felipe Curi, the increase in vehicle robberies is directly linked to the expansion of criminal factions in Rio de Janeiro. Around 80% of car robberies are committed by members of drug trafficking factions, who now see vehicle robberies as a major source of revenue alongside drug sales, robberies, and extortion. The profits from stolen vehicles help finance the factions’ operations, including territorial wars and other criminal activities.
Red Command’s Role
An investigation revealed that Red Command (CV) generated approximately R$20 million through stolen vehicles and cargo. Criminals profit from these robberies through various means, including selling stolen cars directly, dismantling vehicles for parts, and even exchanging cars for drugs. Last week, police seized a truck carrying nine stolen vehicles—eight cars and a motorcycle—that had been sold by CV for resale in São Paulo. Authorities have also identified the shipment of dismantled car parts from Belford Roxo to scrapyards in Goiás.
Analysis:
The sharp increase in vehicle robberies in Rio de Janeiro, with a 168% rise in early 2025 and an average of over 90 stolen vehicles per day in 2024, highlights the growing influence of organized crime. Areas such as São Gonçalo, Duque de Caxias, and Mesquita have become hotspots, reflecting the territorial control of criminal factions. The Red Command (CV) and other groups have turned vehicle robbery into a key revenue stream, using stolen cars for resale, dismantling, or drug exchanges. The emergence of new crime tactics, such as fake car sales leading to robbery and extortion, further underscores the need for more proactive security strategies.
The impact extends beyond crime rates, as rising vehicle robberies have driven up car insurance costs, making coverage less accessible for many. This growing risk calls for a coordinated response, including increased police presence in high-crime areas, the dismantling of illegal dismantling operations, and interstate cooperation to disrupt trafficking networks. Without a strong and integrated approach, vehicle robbery will continue to fund criminal organizations, worsening violence and insecurity across Rio de Janeiro.
