Photo: 'Gang of Blondes' Believed to Have Kidnapped Dozens in Brazil Have Been Arrested
Six women suspected of being be part of Brazil’s kidnapping “Gang of Blondes” have been identified by police thanks to information from the dozens of victims.
Over the weekend, three members of the gang were arrested with years worth of robbery and kidnapping charges reportedly filed against them.
The gang is accused of kidnapping 54 female shoppers since moving on from burglary into the people-snatching business.
Victims described the women as bilingual, well-educated, and of course, blonde, and it is believed that the gang’s crime spree began in 2008.
Police say that since its inception, Wagner Gonclaves and his wife Monique Awoki have been heading the gang, but the pair were finally caught while attempting to escape Brazil’s northeastern region after both changed their appearance.
The gang would allegedly follow their victims while they shopped and then kidnap them and withdraw money from their accounts and charge luxury items to their credit cards.
The Associated Press reported that in just one case alone, the “Gang of Blondes” bought about US$9,700 worth of items and took about $1,660 in cash.
Though six of the gang members were identified, only three were arrested over the weekend. The husband of one of the members was also arrested, but he has since been let go.
Of the estimated 54 victims, at least 21 spoke with authorities since police began their investigation.
