Prisoner escapes Florianópolis police station through cell bar gap

A prisoner identified as Érick Celestino Gomes escaped from a police station in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, by squeezing through a small gap between cell bars. The incident occurred in the early hours of September 26, 2026, at the Central de Plantão Policial.

Security camera footage captured the escape, showing the man maneuvering his arms, head, and eventually his entire body through an opening of approximately 15 centimeters, which is typically used for food delivery. After exiting the cell, the man was seen picking up his shoes before walking out of the facility without being intercepted by officers.

Gomes had been arrested hours prior in connection with a domestic violence case. Following the escape, the Civil Police of Santa Catarina launched an operation to locate him and requested preventive detention from the judiciary. As of the latest reports, the individual remains at large.