Brazil detains suspect in 16 murders — Dawn
Police in Brazil’s Paraíba state detained a man suspected of involvement in at least 16 murders committed since May. At the time of his detention, he was wearing a dress and a long black wig and was also holding an infant, Dawn reports, citing AFP.
Detention after a manhunt
The suspect was detained on Sunday after a 30-hour search in a wooded area of Paraíba state in northeastern Brazil. Police said the dress and wig were part of a disguise intended to help him avoid detention.
Local media reported that the child is not related to the detainee. Law enforcement authorities did not disclose information about the infant’s condition or say how the child came to be with the man.
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Investigation data and the suspect’s account
According to the civil police, the man claimed involvement in 80 murders. At the same time, law enforcement authorities confirmed his involvement in 16 murders in the region, 11 of which he confessed to during questioning. All 16 murders occurred since May. Police did not disclose the names of the victims or the circumstances of the killings.
Several weeks ago, the suspect managed to evade a previous detention attempt after a confrontation with security forces. Police believe he is a member of an “extremely violent” criminal group. However, in an interrogation video obtained by AFP, the man said that he acted alone and had no ties to organized crime.
He also claimed that all his victims were “linked to the criminal world” and that he carried out vigilante justice in response to threats against him and his family. After the previous operation, police seized bulletproof vests, a submachine gun stock and more than 100 rounds of ammunition. During questioning, the man admitted that these items belonged to him.
