Rota lieutenant shot in the head in São Caetano do Sul: two arrested, shooters at large
Lieutenant Ronickson Pimentel was hit in the head at a traffic light in Greater São Paulo; investigation points to coordinated action with division of tasks and support vehicles.
Attack on Rota lieutenant shows signs of prior planning, investigation indicates
According to g1.globo.com's findings, the investigation into the attack on Rota lieutenant Ronickson Pimentel dos Santos, 39, indicates that the attack was the result of an articulated operation, with division of tasks, support vehicles and deliberate strategies to hinder the identification of those involved.
Pimentel was shot in the head on Saturday morning (27th) while waiting at a traffic light on Avenida Goiás in São Caetano do Sul, in Greater São Paulo. The Águia helicopter came to his aid and took him to Mário Covas State Hospital in Santo André, where he underwent emergency surgery. The officer remains hospitalised in the intensive care unit in extremely serious condition.
Two men suspected of providing logistical support to the crime were temporarily arrested on Sunday (28th). The perpetrators of the shootings remain at large.
Judge points to criminal structure with defined roles
The magistrate who authorised the temporary arrests stated, according to GloboNews, that the dynamics of the facts do not indicate a common criminal act, but a coordinated attack against a police officer. In the decision, he emphasised that there are evident signs of prior planning, division of tasks, use of support vehicles and evasion and evidence concealment strategies.
The attack was carried out by two men on a motorcycle. The vehicle showed signs of tampering and had a registration linked to the proceeds of an earlier crime — an element that, for the judge, reinforces suspicion of a previously structured operation.
Renault Logan monitored by security cameras
Surveillance footage analysed by police identified the involvement of a Renault Logan, registration QXL-1A50, in the crime's dynamics. According to the investigation, the car acted in conjunction with the executors before and after the shots, accompanying the motorcycle during the attack. For the justice system, the presence of the vehicle indicates that the shooters did not act alone.
After the shots, the Renault Logan began circulating alongside two other vehicles: a Fiat Palio and a GM Astra. The drivers of the three cars were identified and temporarily arrested. The footage shows that the vehicles maintained coordinated movement and constant proximity after the crime.
Meeting in isolated location rules out coincidence hypothesis
The investigation also points out that, after travelling together, the occupants of the three vehicles met in a place with little movement. For the judge, this meeting rules out the coincidence hypothesis and reinforces suspicion of joint action previously arranged.
The time interval between the attack and the joint movement of the vehicles was also considered relevant. The shots occurred at around 11:20 on Saturday. About an hour later, at 12:19, the Renault Logan, Fiat Palio and GM Astra were recorded by cameras travelling together.
Contradiction in statement and evidence disposal
The justice system also cites contradictions in the statement of one of the arrested suspects. According to a military police officer's report, he denied any contact with the Renault Logan. Footage analysed by the investigation, however, shows approximation and interaction between the occupants of the vehicles.
Another element highlighted by the investigation involves an attempt to eliminate evidence. Cameras recorded one of those involved discarding the motorcycle, helmet and part of the clothing after the action — a measure evaluated as an attempt to hinder the identification of suspects and compromise the production of evidence.
Trajectory of the shot lieutenant
Ronickson Pimentel dos Santos joined the force in 2009 as a soldier, after serving as a naval fusilier in the Brazilian Navy between 2006 and 2009. In 2015, he joined the officer ranks of the Military Police through the Barro Branco Military Police Academy. Throughout his career, he accumulated seven years of experience in tactical patrol operations and, in 2019, was assigned to the 1st Shock Police Battalion Tobias de Aguiar, the Rota.
Pimentel is also the older brother of Eloá Cristina Pimentel, a 15-year-old teenager murdered in 2008 after being held in unlawful imprisonment by ex-boyfriend Lindemberg Alves in Santo André — a case that received significant national coverage.
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo