Former Hurb’s CEO, João Ricardo Rangel Mendes, 44, was arrested last Friday (25) for stealing art works from a luxury hotel and an architectural office located in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
Mendes is the founder of the tourism platform Hurb (previously known as Hotel Urbano), created in January 2011. His trajectory ahead of the company was marked by controversy, which culminated in his resignation to the position of CEO in April 2023.
The departure occurred amid an image crisis by customer complaints about reservation cancellations and financial problems of the company. The situation worsened after accusations that Mendes insulted and threatened to expose personal data from dissatisfied customers on social networks.
In a letter of resignation, the businessman admitted his mistakes, and stated that the decision to move away aimed to separate his personal image from the company and mentioned his mother’s death as a factor that contributed to his behavior.
“HURB is like a ‘son’ for me, but I need time to reflect, to turn my attention to me, and when I feel better, focus on building a global technology company,” says the letter.
Mendes recognized and lamented the mistakes made, stating that “events, in fact, were errors of ‘João Ricardo Mendes’ and not of an entire company that is much larger than me.”
He also expressed the need for time for personal reflection. Despite the formal renunciation, there are reports that Mendes continued to influence HURB management, even interacting directly with customers to ensure their travel plans.
João Ricardo’s father died during the businessman’s childhood, who was raised by his mother along with his brother. Before founding the HURB, one of its first developments was a drink tent on the beach. He also started the law course, but did not conclude it.
In addition to the relationship crisis with customers, Mendes and Hurb were summoned to testify at CPI of financial pyramids on charges of using customer money as working capital and not fulfilling contracts. They did not attend the initial CPI session.
On April 17, 2025, the Ministry of Tourism canceled the company’s registration in the register, preventing it from operating in the sector. The decision was motivated by allegations of non -compliance and a large volume of consumer complaints in the administrative and judicial spheres.
The National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) also required HURB to detail its financial situation, including the number of pending contracts and the amounts due to customers, considering the operational, technical and financially unfeasible company after 12 months of attempts to agree.
In response, HURB issued a note alleging surprise with the Ministry of Tourism measure, classifying it as “more political than technical” and accusing Senacon of abandoning negotiations. Currently, the HURB website is down.
The theft of works of art
According to the Civil Police, the investigation points out that João Ricardo, 44, stole the works last Friday (25). The first theft targets a high standard hotel in Barra da Tijuca, and the second, an architectural office located in a shopping mall in the same neighborhood.
With the security camera images, the Civil Police investigators identified that the former CEO used the same motorcycle to commit both thefts. See below:
At the time of the police approach to its coverage, the former HURB CEO tried to escape, but was arrested on the terrace of the property. Inside the residence, the police found three ceramic sculptures and one of the hotel’s subtracted paintings, totaling an estimated amount of R $ 23,000. A stolen painting has not yet been recovered.
All seized material was restored to its legitimate owners. The Civil Police proceed with investigations to locate the last missing art work. João Ricardo Rangel Mendes was charged in the act for the crime of theft in the 16th DP (Barra da Tijuca).
THE CNN Try to contact the defense of João Ricardo Rangel Mendes and the space is still open to demonstrations.
*Under supervision
This content was originally published in who is the former HURB CEO arrested for theft of art works in RJ on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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