Criminal Flavio Ezique Gonçalves, 32 years old, known as Lacoste, and identified by the Civil Police as the leader of a gang specializing in theft of luxury watches, operating in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, was arrested in the afternoon this Thursday (18) in the neighborhood of Capão Redondo, South Zone of São Paulo. Civil Police sources in Rio de Janeiro report that the combined value of the stolen accessories could exceed R$2 million.
According to the police, Lacoste was on the run after being sentenced to 11 years in prison for robberies against two businessmen in Rio de Janeiro, in 2014. Other robberies of luxury watches from personalities such as football coach Wanderley Luxemburgo and actress Isis Valverde were also attributed to the gang led by Lacoste.
In consultation with the processes that led to the suspect's conviction for crimes committed in Rio de Janeiro, there are details about the gang's actions. In one of the actions, Lacoste and another suspect stole a Rolex valued – at the time – at R$58,000 in the Leblon neighborhood, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
According to the victim, who at the time gave a statement at the 14th DP, when he stopped his car in front of the building where he lived, one of the robbers who chased him on a motorcycle even hit the driver's door window with a revolver, demanding the handover of the clock.
The other robbery, committed at the same time, was against a tourist who had left Shopping Leblon and was chased by the suspects. Moments later, a Hublot watch, valued at R$113,000, was stolen.
Today's arrest took place after the suspect was identified by teams from the 1st Heritage Police Station in joint work with the Police Intelligence Unit of the State Department of Criminal Investigations (DEIC). According to the Civil Police, Lacoste did not react to the approach.
Previous arrest and origin of nickname
Flavio Gonçalves had already been arrested by DEIC police officers in 2015. At the time, Lacoste was approached by police officers in the city of Taboão da Serra, in Greater São Paulo, with a false document.
After being approached, police officers were able to identify the suspect's real name and carried out the arrest in the act, which, from being converted into preventive, was later transformed into the provision of services to the community.
Investigators who participated in the arrest at the time reported that the suspect's nickname arose due to the constant use of the brand of clothing that features an alligator.
Source: CNN Brasil
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