Brazilian police arrested a 33-year-old man suspected of involvement in at least 16 murders since May after a 30-hour pursuit. At the time of arrest, he was dressed in women's clothing, wearing a long wig, and carrying a baby in his arms. The man claimed to have committed as many as 80 murders.
Brazilian police revealed they apprehended 33-year-old Jorlan Lopes da Silva, a suspect linked to at least 16 murders since May, on Friday (18 Sept) after a 30-hour chase in the forested area of Paraíba state in the northeast of the country.
At the time of arrest, the suspect wore a women's skirt, a long black wig, women's sandals, and sunglasses. Police said this disguise was used to avoid capture. They also found he was carrying a baby in his arms; authorities confirmed the child was not his but did not disclose the infant's condition.
Brazil's civil police said that although the suspect claimed involvement in as many as 80 murders, authorities have confirmed his connection to 16 murder cases in the area. Of these, he confessed to 11 during questioning.
The 16 murder cases occurred since May. The identities of the victims and details about the crimes have not been released. Previously, the suspect evaded capture weeks earlier after a confrontation with security forces. He is believed to be a member of a violent criminal group.
However, in an interrogation video obtained by AFP news agency, the suspect claimed he acted alone and denied ties to any organized criminal group.
He asserted that all victims were involved in criminal activities and that he took it upon himself to punish them to counter threats against himself and his family. He emphasized he never targeted parents or ordinary workers and denied having psychopathic tendencies.
The suspect also claimed he committed his first murder at age 13. Following prior confrontations with police, authorities seized body armor, a submachine gun stock, and over 100 rounds of ammunition. The suspect admitted during questioning that these items belonged to him.
Local media reported the operation also led to the arrest of two men suspected of involvement in the crimes. Under Brazilian law, the main suspect could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted. The area of Mulungu, where the murders occurred, is located about 2,500 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro.
,CBS/ AFP