Police Arrest Suspects in R$15 Million Diamonds Heist

The operation targeted a group suspected of specialized thefts. According to police reports, five people were taken into preventive custody. This group included two active duty military police officers. The operation was a joint effort involving the Police Civil (PC-PR) and the Corregedoria da Polícia Militar.

In addition to the arrests, authorities executed search and seizure warrants and orders for the seizure of assets and values. Locations targeted included:

• Londrina and Ibiporã in northern Paraná
• Bauru and São Paulo

At the addresses of the targets, police confiscated weapons, ammunition, and cell phones. The dropped cell phone proved to be a critical piece of evidence in the case.

The robbery took place on November 18, 2024, in Londrina. Four men identified themselves as police officers and stopped a vehicle occupied by three victims from the state of São Paulo. The criminals arrived in a black car, blocked the victims' path, and announced the robbery. After stealing the goods, the group fled in a silver car.

During the robbery, one of the participants dropped a cell phone. The device was seized and analyzed, revealing messages in a group named "Pit Bull Missão." Through these messages, police discovered that the criminals had stolen a batch of diamonds valued at R$15 million. The investigation determined that the phone belonged to one of the police officers involved in the robbery.

Delegado Mozart Rocha Gonçalves explained that the victims initially claimed to be parliamentary delegates attending a meeting with a businessman to receive an award. However, they did not disclose the true value of the stolen goods at the time.

The investigation indicated that the group operated with a meticulous division of tasks planned via messaging apps. The structure was organized as follows:

• Executors: Four individuals responsible for the direct approach.
• Support Network: One suspect acting as "bait" to attract victims and a mentor who commanded the actions and assisted in the escape.
• Operational Base: A couple who owned a driving school used as a "headquarters" for planning, changing clothes, and hiding vehicles.

Delegado Mozart Rocha Gonçalves stated: "Of these four members, two were public servants. A third executor died after a confrontation with the Military Police five days after the robbery."

Interestingly, search warrants were also issued against the robbery victims themselves. At the home of one victim, police seized R$11,692,000.00 in checks. The Civil Police are investigating indications of money laundering, as the origin of the diamonds and the real reasons for the meeting in Londrina have not been clarified by the victims.

The diamonds have not yet been recovered. Delegado Mozart Rocha Gonçalves explained that "Any seized materials will undergo forensic analysis to identify the destination of the precious stones." The origin of the diamonds and the destination of the stolen goods remain central questions for the investigators.

The Civil Police continue to investigate the case. The names of the targets of the operation were not disclosed by the police. The investigation aims to clarify the full scope of the criminal organization and the money laundering allegations linked to the victims of the initial robbery.