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Undercover operation targets Carnival pickpockets
Brazilian police in Rio de Janeiro disguised themselves as Carnival revelers to arrest two phone thieves during the city's annual festival, authorities announced.
Creative disguises lead to arrests
Officers wore masks of pop-culture characters, including Captain America, Batman, and Friday the 13th's Jason Voorhees, to blend into crowds. A drone spotted a woman snatching a phone from a festivalgoer and handing it to an accomplice, leading to their capture in the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
Stolen phones recovered
Five stolen devices were recovered and will be returned to their owners, according to Rio's Civil Police. Footage released by authorities shows officers-still in costume-escorting the suspects into a police vehicle. One officer wore the iconic red jumpsuit and mask from the Netflix series Money Heist.
Suspects' criminal history
The detained pair had 30 prior arrests between them, police said. The woman allegedly faked a pregnancy to evade capture.
Operation Tracking's broader impact
The arrests are part of a state initiative to combat phone theft and resale. Since its launch, the operation has recovered over 13,000 devices, returning roughly 4,400 to their owners.
Fancy dress tactics in Latin America
Rio's approach mirrors strategies used by other Latin American police forces. Peruvian officers have previously disguised themselves as Spider-Man, a teddy bear, and even the Grinch to apprehend suspects during holidays like Halloween and Valentine's Day.
"Costume-based operations help officers blend into crowds while maintaining a tactical advantage," a police spokesperson told local media.
