Bolivia arrests Brazilian suspected of stealing R$14 million

According to a statement from the PF, the suspect would have participated in the planning and execution of the robbery. According to the note, an arrest warrant was issued by the Brazilian courts against the man, who had been on the run since July 2025.

Now, Brazilian authorities must adopt procedures to transfer the person being investigated to Brazil. Upon arrival in the country, he will be available to the courts.

The operation was supported by the Federal Police Liaison Officer in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and the Special Force to Fight Against Drug Trafficking (FELCN) of the Bolivian Police.

2024 airport attack left four dead

The robbery took place on June 19, 2024, when nine armed criminals invaded the restricted security area of ​​Caxias do Sul airport. The group used three armored vehicles, two of which had false characterizations, similar to those of Federal Police vehicles.

The criminals stole more than R$14 million transported by an aircraft that had departed from Curitiba. The money would go to fuel an armored vehicle.

During the escape, there was a confrontation with security forces. Military Brigade Sergeant Fabiano Oliveira died after being shot.

Three more people died in the shooting, two men with no involvement in the incident who were at the airport and one of the assailants. Another five people were injured, one of whom suffered amputation of both feet after triggering an explosive left by the criminals on a public road.

Investigation showed organization in stages

After 70 days of investigation, the Federal Police indicted 17 people in September 2024 for involvement in the attack. The investigation identified that members of the First Capital Command (PCC) arrived in Rio Grande do Sul before the robbery and received support from local criminals.

According to the PF, the group divided its action into four stages: planning, execution, escape and removal of the members involved.

The investigation pointed to the use of various equipment during the action, including rifles, pistols, weapons of war, ammunition, explosives, signal blockers, telephone devices, radio communicators, tactical clothing, vehicles, false license plates and hiding places.

Another suspect was arrested in Rio Grande do Sul

In October 2025, the Federal Police arrested another suspect identified as a participant in the planning and execution of the robbery of the paying aircraft. The man was located in Osório, on the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, following a decision by the Federal Court.

At the time, the PF also linked the suspect to the attack against branches of Caixa Econômica Federal and Banco do Brasil in Araçatuba (SP), in 2021. The episode involved explosives, road blocks and confrontation with security forces.

Arrest in Bolivia occurred in the same region where PCC leader was captured

The Brazilian suspected of participating in the theft of R$14 million in Caxias do Sul was arrested in the Bolivian department of Santa Cruz, the same region where, in another case, authorities captured Gerson Palermo, identified as one of the leaders of the PCC.

Palermo was arrested in the municipality of Cotoca, also in Santa Cruz, in an operation by the Bolivian police with support from the Brazilian Federal Police, in May this year. He had accumulated convictions for trafficking, association for trafficking and for the hijacking of a plane belonging to the now defunct Vasp, in 2000, used to steal around R$5.5 million from Banco do Brasil.