Former soldiers confess part in Rio weapons theft
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Mar 17 (Reuters) Two ex-soldiers have confessed to stealing weapons from a Brazilian army base, a robbery that led to a military operation in the streets of Rio de Janeiro earlier this month, officials said today.
A spokesman for the military prosecutor's office said an former corporal, who had left the army only three days before the March 3 theft at the base where he served, admitted to having masterminded the crime.
The 10 rifles and a pistol stolen there were recovered on Wednesday after huge army raids though the slums, or favelas.
He said he was helped by another former soldier and unidentified civilians, suspected to be drug traffickers. Police were looking for the remaining suspects.
The ex-corporal was arrested on Tuesday after a guard identified him by his voice and a recent fingerprint of his was found on the gate. An former private also acknowledged his participation.
''It's a military crime against army property and they'll be judged by a military court,'' the spokesman said, adding though the two had yet to be charged. The penalty will depend on the charges.
The ex-corporal told prosecutors five civilians from a favela in the Alemao shantytown complex on Rio's outskirts took part in the robbery but he refused to provide names or more detailed information. Much of the Alemao complex is controlled by drug gangs.
On the same day as the theft, the army started an operation in which more than 1,500 soldiers backed by tanks and helicopters occupied a dozen favelas and checkpoints went up on main highways.
It ended on Wednesday after the weapons were found next to Rio's biggest slum.
The operation provoked a debate on whether soldiers should act as police or tackle problems that have their roots in poverty and social deprivation. Favela residents complained that the operation made their lives even more miserable.
REUTERS VJ RAI0132