“Operation ACE of Swords”: Police arrest four suspects involved in the murder of a woman in Greater Natal

Four men were arrested, this Thursday (02), suspected of involvement in the murder of Ana Juliana Alves de Santana, aged 42, on April 23, 2024. The arrests took place in the municipalities of São José de Mipibu and Parnamirim and The action had the support of the Specialized Theft and Robbery Police Station (DEFUR/Natal).

“Operation ACE of Swords” was launched by civil police officers from the 24th Police Station of São José de Mipibu (24th DP).

The action took place less than ten days after the crime and served four preventive arrest warrants and four search and seizure warrants. According to the police, the men arrested are part of a criminal group and are being investigated as perpetrators of Ana Juliana’s murder.

According to investigations, the murder was retaliation by the criminal group after the Civil Police seized objects stolen from a robbery that occurred in the city of Nísia Floresta, also in Greater Natal, in that location on Rua da Bica. The group, suspected of involvement in homicides, drug trafficking and robberies in the region, believed that the victim and his son were Civil Police informants. As a result, in the early hours of April 23, the investigators broke into Ana Juliana’s house and fired several firearms at her, who died at the scene. According to investigations, the crime was witnessed by children and grandchildren (children and teenagers).

The men were arrested and the murder weapon was seized. Some of the prisoners confessed to the crime. They were sent to the Prison System, where they will remain at the disposal of the Justice.

The name ACE of Swords is a reference to an anti-peace sign used by American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Within the scope of the RN Civil Police, the symbolism is intended to make it clear that “peace is over” for suspects involved in crimes.