Operation Nemesis arrests four suspects in alleged crime tribunal in Passos, Minas Gerais
Four people were detained in Passos, Minas Gerais, for allegedly being part of a crime tribunal that kidnapped and tortured a 49-year-old man. Drugs and precision scales were seized.
Four arrested in operation against group that kidnapped and tortured victim in Passos
The Civil Police arrested four people in Passos, in southern Minas Gerais, on the morning of Thursday (29), during Operation Nemesis, directed at members of an alleged crime tribunal. According to g1.globo.com, three men are under investigation for kidnapping, torture and extortion of a 49-year-old victim; one woman was detained on drug trafficking charges.
In addition to the arrest warrants, the operation resulted in the execution of 14 search and seizure warrants in the municipality.
Victim beaten with iron bars and extorted
According to the Civil Police, the man was overpowered inside his own residence, dragged into the street and beaten with iron bars. The suspects demanded payment of at least R$ 5,000, claiming he had stolen from a commercial establishment in the region. An 85-year-old elderly woman who was present at the location was not taken, but was pushed during the approach.
The investigation began after the incident was reported. At the time, the victim was admitted to the Santa Casa de Misericórdia hospital in Passos. The detective in charge of the case, Ismael Jerônimo Soares, told EPTV, an affiliate of TV Globo, that the team immediately went to the hospital.
"Promptly the team went to Santa Casa and at the bedside where he was hospitalised, his statement was taken, and he pointed out the details of the facts," Soares explained.
Statements, witnesses and cameras supported the warrants
Based on the victim's statement, investigators gathered information from witnesses, heard other people present in the house during the attack and analysed images from security cameras. With all the evidence gathered, the Civil Police requested the warrants from the courts and public prosecutor's office, which were executed on Thursday.
Suspected link to drug trafficking
According to detective Soares, the group did not act with the aim of protecting the community, but to resolve the conflict autonomously and keep police presence away from the area.
"With the police not being there, drug trafficking can proceed without obstacles," the detective stated.
During the searches, police officers found crack cocaine, cannabis, cocaine and a precision scale in one of the searched residences. With the material seized, those under investigation may also face charges for drug trafficking and, possibly, drug trafficking conspiracy.
Victim may also be investigated for theft
The Civil Police are investigating whether the beaten man actually committed the theft that allegedly motivated the suspects' actions. If the crime is proven, he himself could face criminal liability.
Those under investigation will face charges of torture by kidnapping and aggravated extortion, due to the involvement of more than one perpetrator.
Investigation continues and police seek public cooperation
Soares emphasised the importance of residents' participation in advancing the investigations.
"To the general public, it is clear and important to have this trust in police and especially cooperation, both with statements and information and mainly with security cameras," said the detective.
The police's expectation is that, with the arrests, more residents will feel safe to cooperate with the investigations. The four detainees remain in custody pending any court decision granting provisional freedom or ordering the release of the prisoners. The Civil Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crimes and the possible involvement of the suspects in other criminal activities in the region.
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo