Burglars forcibly entered the residence of Brazilian influencer Bruna Biancardi, girlfriend of soccer star Neymar, in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident occurred in a secured community in Cotia, a city within Sao Paulo’s metropolitan region. Authorities are looking into the possibility of a kidnapping attempt, as the perpetrators took Biancardi’s parents hostage.
Fortunately, Biancardi, 29, and the couple’s one-month-old daughter were not present during the break-in, although it appears they were the intended targets, according to Cotia police. The robbers specifically inquired about the whereabouts of Biancardi and her infant during the intrusion.
Biancardi’s parents, aged 50 and 52, were restrained and silenced during the ordeal. One of the assailants reportedly made threats, including pouring hot oil over Biancardi’s mother’s face. The criminals stole luxury items such as purses, watches, and jewelry, with an estimated value exceeding $100,000.
Surveillance footage from Brazil’s Municipal Civil Guard depicted three suspects arriving at the house in a car registered to a neighbor, who claimed he had lent it to his stepson.
The 19-year-old stepson was apprehended, and he confessed to the robbery, according to Sheriff’s Deputy Mônica Resende Gamboa.
The unidentified teenager informed investigators that he and the other culprits had been monitoring the influencer’s social media, noting her recent acquisitions of jewelry. This information prompted their decision to carry out the burglary.
The São Paulo Department of Public Safety issued a statement revealing the identification of a second suspect, with ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend the third robber. Authorities are investigating the possibility of a kidnapping plot against Biancardi and her newborn.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Biancardi expressed relief that everyone involved was physically unharmed, emphasizing the recovery of material possessions. Neymar also expressed his dismay over the incident on his Instagram account, though without providing specific details.
