Off-duty police officer causes damage and makes threats at Araraquara motel

A 51-year-old civil police officer caused damage and threatened staff at a motel in Araraquara, São Paulo, on Friday night, October 31st. The incident began around 6:35 PM when police were called to the establishment. Employees reported that the officer, who appeared highly agitated and was armed with a knife, attempted to assault a 31-year-old receptionist. He then broke through the motel's gate and fled in a car. Responding officers found the reception area damaged, with the computer screen, a glass pane, and the reception door broken.

Following a patrol based on the vehicle's license plate, police located the car parked inside a house with its headlights on and doors ajar. The house's access door was also found to be broken, indicating the officer had forced his way in. The officer, who reportedly works in Matão and had been living at the residence for two months, eventually surrendered peacefully and unarmed after negotiations. He led officers to a pistol stored under his mattress, presenting his service ID and weapon registration.

The officer claimed he had hired two sex workers and, upon leaving the motel after payment, was threatened by two individuals on a motorcycle. In response, he stated he used a pocketknife to puncture their motorcycle tire before fleeing. He sustained abrasions, which he attributed to breaking into his own home. He and other involved parties were taken to the police station. The victims declined to press criminal charges. The State Secretariat for Public Security (SSP-SP) has been contacted for comment on the officer's conduct.