Previous phases of the operation had already resulted in the arrest of 15 adult suspects
The São Paulo Civil Police concluded this Thursday (19) the fourth and final phase of Operation “Piratas do Asfalto”, which dismantled a criminal organization specialized in theft of motorcycles and cargo in the region of Itaquaquecetuba, in Alto Tietê.
Two 16-year-old teenagers were apprehended, bringing to 17 the total number of people arrested since the investigation began. The action carried out search and seizure warrants, in addition to provisional hospitalization against the young people, identified as direct participants in the crimes.
According to the police, the group operated in an organized manner, with a clear division of tasks and the use of firearms to intimidate victims. The robberies, concentrated in Itaquaquecetuba and neighboring cities such as Guarulhos, had been generating insecurity among the local population.
Delegate Luiz Romani, head of the Central Police District of Itaquaquecetuba, highlighted the impact of the operation on reducing crime. “These motorcycle thieves who had been terrorizing victims, shooting on public roads and taking belongings, have now been arrested. We have put an end to the gang that operated throughout the Alto Tietê region and also in Guarulhos”, said Romani in a statement to the press.
Previous phases of the operation had already resulted in the arrest of 15 adult suspects. With the completion of this stage, the Civil Police considers the gang to be dismantled. Romani emphasized the positive effects on security indicators: “This is reflected in crime rates, which reduced significantly over the period.”
Operation “Piratas do Asfalto” was launched to combat one of the main criminal networks responsible for robberies against motorcyclists in Greater São Paulo. Investigations revealed that the gang not only stole vehicles, but also cargo, increasing the damage to companies and citizens.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
