Cities in Rio Grande do Sul suffer from robberies, looting and even murder | Security

Rio Grande do Sul is in a state of public calamity due to the heavy rains that have hit the state since last week. In the midst of this, commercial establishments were looted.

Destroyed for the third time by floods since September, Arroio do Meio is shaken, this time, also by civil disorder. In the municipality of Vale do Taquari, stores and markets were the target of looting. A homicide was recorded on Rua Coberta, in the Center, in front of dozens of people seeking shelter.

The victim was reportedly injured in the neck with a spike and then stabbed to death, just a few meters from where the Civil Defense was rescuing people with boats.

According to witness reports, the body was thrown into the water, but was removed by other people and remained on the ground. In another neighborhood, a man was shot and is hospitalized in Lajeado after being transferred by helicopter.

The murder occurred shortly after the commercial establishments were looted. At a bazaar, only plastic flowers were not taken. Empty toy boxes were scattered across the floor, as were hangers devoid of clothes. In front of a store, empty sparkling wine bottles were scattered around. Two employee motorcycles were stolen. There are also reports of more stores attacked in the center. Clothes and shoes were taken.

In response to the situation, the mayor of Arroio do Meio, Danilo Bruxel (PP), stated that he had asked the Military Brigade Tactical Force to reinforce security in the municipality.

In Porto Alegre, several commercial establishments were also invaded. A Grêmio product store, located in the club’s arena, was looted on Saturday (4). In Canoas, armed men on boats and jet skis have been prowling abandoned houses to carry out robberies, and there are reports of robberies in hostels in the city.

In addition to looting and robberies in the affected municipalities, scammers take advantage of the situation to divert donations sent to Gauchos. The state governor, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), lamented this situation and declared that “in the midst of so much solidarity, there are profiteers who use people’s sensitivity” to steal and carry out scams via Pix.

Porto Alegre’s Secretary of Security, Alexandre Aragon, stated that “unfortunately, in tragedies, both the best and the worst in people come to the surface.” He made this statement in an interview with the program Bora Brasil (Band).