SAO PAULO — Amid the vibrant and colorful chaos of Brazil’s Carnival, law enforcement officers in Sao Paulo have employed an unconventional approach to tackling crime. Disguised as clowns, priests, and iconic characters from the Power Rangers television series, these officers have blended seamlessly into the crowded festivities to combat pickpocketing.
In a recent development, Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas shared a video on his social media platforms featuring two officers dressed as the popular video game duo, Mario and Luigi, apprehending a suspect. This creative enforcement method has been making waves among the revelers.
The highlight of this year’s Carnival, however, has been the group of officers donning Power Ranger costumes. Beginning their mission on Saturday, near the start of the festivities, these six officers made an immediate impact. One of their notable successes was the arrest of a suspect carrying seven stolen cell phones. More successful operations followed suit.
A video released by the state’s public security department shows the Yellow and Red Power Rangers arresting a suspect and escorting him to a police vehicle. In another clip, the Green and Red Rangers are seen subduing a suspect on the ground, met with cheers from the onlooking crowd.
As of early Tuesday, authorities in Sao Paulo confirmed that the disguised officers had made six arrests and recovered 23 stolen phones since the Carnival kicked off. This inventive strategy mirrors efforts from last year’s festivities.
“Once again, our Power Rangers are shining brightly during Carnival,” exclaimed Gov. de Freitas in a social media post. “Go, go Power Rangers!”
According to police reports, criminals from various regions across Brazil have converged on Sao Paulo’s Carnival with the intent to commit phone thefts, which often include attempts to access victims’ banking apps, exacerbating the crimes’ impacts. Over the weekend, it was reported that a gang had even rented an apartment in the city to serve as their operational base for theft-related activities.
