Suspect in attack on Rota lieutenant arrested in Heliópolis after confessing to crime
Luiz Henrique, 34, was detained by Rota in São Paulo and confessed to disposing of the motorcycle used in the attack on Lieutenant Ronickson Pimentel.
Third arrested in case of Rota lieutenant confesses role in attack
Images obtained by cnnbrasil.com.br show the moment Luiz Henrique de Oliveira Nascimento abandons the motorcycle used in the attack against Ronickson Pimentel dos Santos, a lieutenant with Rota (Rondas Ostensivas Tobias de Aguiar) and brother of Eloá Pimentel. In the footage, it is possible to see the suspect stopping the vehicle, wiping the handlebars and seat, and leaving the motorcycle on a street corner before walking away.
Security cameras on another street also recorded Luiz Henrique walking shortly after abandoning the vehicle.
Arrest and confession
The capture of the 34-year-old suspect took place on the evening of Tuesday (7), on Rua Lício de Miranda, in the Heliópolis neighbourhood, South Zone of São Paulo. A Rota team detained him during routine patrol.
During the stop, Luiz Henrique confessed to participation in the crime and reported that his role was to dispose of the motorcycle. He stated that he left the vehicle on Rua Roberto Koch, shortly after the attack.
The suspect was taken to the DHPP (Department of Homicides and Protection of the Person) to comply with an arrest warrant that was already outstanding against him. The Military Police reported that he has an extensive criminal record — in 2021 alone, he was arrested three times for drug trafficking in the ABC Paulista region, and a fourth time in 2024.
Two previously detained and one deceased
Luiz Henrique is the third suspect detained in the case. Two other men, aged 40 and 52, had been arrested on the day following the attack, in the Guaianases region, suspected of providing logistical support and transport to the group.
Police also seized a white Renault Logan used by the gang. According to intelligence reports, the vehicle passed through the São Caetano do Sul region frequented by the lieutenant 96 times before the attack.
Elenilson Misael da Silva, known as "Galego", aged 47, died on Thursday (2) during a confrontation with Rota police in Peruíbe, on the São Paulo coast, after attempting to flee from a traffic stop in a pickup truck.
Gunman identified and included on Interpol's red list
The Civil Police intensified the search for the gunman, identified as Hércules da Costa Siqueira, with the aliases "Golias" or "Peruca". The court ordered his temporary arrest for 30 days and he was included on Interpol's red list due to the risk of fleeing abroad with his family.
The SSP (São Paulo Public Security Secretariat) is offering a reward of R$ 50,000 for information leading to his capture.
The investigation points to involvement by the criminal faction PCC (First Command of the Capital) in coordinating the attack.
Lieutenant's state of health
The attack occurred on the morning of 27 June, on Avenida Goiás, in São Caetano do Sul. Lieutenant Ronickson was leaving a gym and was dressed in civilian clothes when two men on a red motorcycle approached — the suspect on the rear seat fired at the police officer's head.
According to the latest medical bulletin, Ronickson is admitted to the ICU of Mário Covas State Hospital, in Santo André, and is showing favourable clinical progress. He maintains good oxygenation and controlled intracranial pressure, under continuous monitoring by the neurosurgery team.
Source: Google News BR — Crime