Vehicle thefts in the Tijuca region grow by more than 90% this year compared to the same period in 2023 | Rio de Janeiro

Rio – The attempted robbery of a vehicle, which caused a confrontation and ended with a military firefighter being shot, on the afternoon of this Tuesday (2), in Tijuca, North Zone of Rio, highlights the increase in the number of crimes like this in the region where the 6th BPM operates (Tijuca). In the first two months of this year alone, 400 street robberies were recorded – which include pedestrian robberies, cell phone robberies and robberies on buses – and 153 vehicle robberies, according to data from the Public Security Institute (ISP).

The survey shows that, between the neighborhoods of Andaraí, Grajaú, Tijuca, Vila Isabel and part of Alto da Boa Vista, there was a 93.7% increase in the number of car thefts recorded in January and February this year compared to the same period last year. The ISP has not yet released data for March, but in the first two months of 2024 there were 153 registrations. In January and February 2023 there were 79.

When the number of vehicle thefts refers only to the most recent month of the survey, that is, February, there is also a large increase compared to last year. In the month of this year there were 87 compared to 49 in 2023, an increase of 77.6%.

In relation to street robberies, there have already been 400 cases this year, 195 of which in February. In 2023, there were 323 in January and February, and 167 in the second month alone. Again, there was an increase in numbers.

Vehicle and street theft crimes are part of the ISP’s strategic indicator category, as is violent lethality, which includes crimes of intentional homicide, bodily injury followed by death, death due to the intervention of a State agent and robbery followed by death. . Between January and February this year, there were six homicides recorded in the region, four more cases than in the same period last year.

In addition to these, there was also an increase in rape cases, with 14 committed this year. In January and February 2023, there were four. In relation to attempted homicides, there were 11 in the first two months of 2024 and nine in the same period last year.

When asked about the matter, the Military Police have not yet responded. The space is open for manifestation.

Firefighter shot

Military firefighter Sabrina Waisfougel Monteiro, 45 years old, who was off duty, was shot in the chest at around 2pm this Tuesday (2), in Tijuca, in the North Zone of Rio, during an exchange of gunfire between an agent from the 6th BPM and criminals who were trying to steal a car. The case happened at the intersection between Rua Moraes e Silva and Rua São Francisco Xavier.

The victim was taken in serious condition by residents to Hospital Israelita Albert Sabin, in the Maracanã neighborhood, also in the North Zone. She is clinically stable, but in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she will undergo a surgical procedure. The Fire Department’s General Health Directorate is monitoring the progress of the case.

According to the Military Police, an agent who patrols the area on foot was in a commercial establishment hydrating himself during work hours when he was informed by members of the public about the attempted robbery. He caught a driver being robbed by four men on three motorcycles.

Upon noticing the police presence, the criminals opened fire on the officer, who fired in response. The exchange of fire took place meters away from the Military College and also close to the Pedro II College, in a very busy spot.

Two criminals entered the stolen car with the intention of fleeing. The corporation reported that, on the escape route, they crashed the vehicle into a tree and abandoned it on Rua Ibituruna com Moraes e Silva. None of the suspects have been captured so far.

The location was preserved for forensic examination, and the case was registered at the 18th DP (Praça da Bandeira).