The Civil Police of Ceará have apprehended a third suspect in the murder of Pedro Feijó de Albuquerque, a 62-year-old grocery store owner, who was shot dead in October 2024 outside his shop in the Pirambu neighborhood. The police report indicates that the murder was orchestrated by individuals linked to criminal factions after Albuquerque refused to comply with their demands to close his business. The victim, known as Pedro Serrano, faced threats from gangs that often extort local businessmen in an ongoing struggle for control over illicit activities in the region.

The latest suspect, a 23-year-old man with a lengthy criminal history, was captured in Fortaleza after evading law enforcement for some time, previously hiding in the Complexo da Penha in Rio de Janeiro. His criminal record includes multiple counts of homicide, involvement in a criminal organization, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and money laundering. This arrest has heightened concerns over the safety of local business owners, who are increasingly targeted by organized crime for non-compliance with their demands.

The Ceará Public Security Secretariat (SSPDS) has confirmed that the arrested individual is part of a criminal group that is associated with some of the most wanted criminals on their lists. This ongoing investigation sheds light on the relentless influence of organized crime in Fortaleza and the urgent need for authorities to address the implications it poses to both public safety and the local economy, as many merchants languish under the threat of violence and coercion in order to continue their businesses.