In the early hours of Tuesday morning, passengers were left terrified after a robbery aboard a van en route to Niterói. The incident occurred near the Gasômetro Viaduct in Central Rio, where the van had just picked up additional passengers. According to one victim, the van had departed at around 12:30 AM heavily loaded with passengers when it was intercepted by two robbers near the ascent to the Rio-Niterói Bridge.

Witness testimony reveals that as the vehicle was navigating through the area of Marquês de Sapucaí, the assailants, once onboard, explored whether any law enforcement personnel were present before proceeding with the robbery. Amidst the chaos described by the passengers, the robbers managed to steal at least three mobile phones and a wristwatch from a passenger holding a child. This sudden invasion of fear and uncertainty not only disrupted the journey but left the affected individuals shaken by the experience.

After executing the robbery, the assailants fled the scene on foot, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in public transport in Rio de Janeiro. This alarming event is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by passengers in urban environments, raising questions about security measures and the need for better protection against such violent crimes during transit. Videos of the incident are likely to circulate on social media, bringing further attention to the issue and the urgent need for intervention to ensure passenger safety in the region.