Magé police arrest suspect in sergeant's murder

Thiago Jesus da Conceição Martins, known as ‘TH’, was arrested in Magé, Rio de Janeiro, following a shootout with military police. Martins is a suspected member of the Comando Vermelho criminal faction.

Authorities identify him as a suspect in the December 2024 murder of Sergeant Alisson Sturião de Araújo, who was shot while off duty. Police believe Martins may have driven the getaway vehicle used in that attack. During the recent confrontation in the Barbuda neighborhood, Martins was detained after a brief exchange of gunfire, though two other suspects managed to flee.

Officers seized a Taurus G3 .38 caliber pistol, three magazines, 54 rounds of ammunition, and two mobile phones. Martins, who has prior criminal records for robbery and drug trafficking, remains in custody facing charges for illegal possession of a firearm.