In a creative operation during the Carnival festivities, civil police in São Paulo dressed as Scooby-Doo characters arrested three suspects involved in cellphone thefts. The incident took place in the Republic region of downtown São Paulo on Saturday afternoon, where the officers, acting under the Department of Homicides and Personal Protection (DHPP), infiltrated the celebration to identify and apprehend criminals among the revelers.

The arrested trio consisted of two women and one man, who exploited the crowded environment to snatch unattended mobile phones. After observing suspicious behavior, the police approached the group and discovered a total of eight stolen cellphones hidden in a pouch carried by one of the women. These devices were seized and will undergo forensic analysis before being returned to their rightful owners.

Authorities urge victims of cellphone theft to report the incidents by filing a police report, either at a physical police station or through the electronic police department. The initiative not only showcases the effective strategies employed by law enforcement during large public events but also highlights the ongoing challenges of crime in highly trafficked areas during celebratory occasions like Carnival.