Three security guards at the Atakarejo supermarket were arrested in Salvador on Monday in connection with the deaths of Bruno Barros and his nephew, Yan Barros. The two men were killed after being caught trying to steal meat from the store in late April, according to the investigation.
Police say Bruno and Yan were taken to a security room inside the supermarket and questioned about the alleged theft. Delegate Andréa Ribeiro said investigators believe the guards then contacted drug traffickers instead of the police. The men were allegedly taken to the Nordeste de Amaralina area, where they were tortured and shot, before their bodies were moved to the Polêmica neighborhood. Ribeiro also said the guards allegedly demanded 700 reais to release them.
The guards deny calling the traffickers, but Ribeiro said investigators have evidence that they did. She said the inquiry is examining the conduct of both the guards and the supermarket, including why people allegedly involved in criminal activity were contacted rather than the authorities.
Bahia public security secretary Ricardo César Mandarino said neither the Civil nor Military Police had been called about the alleged theft. The supermarket had opened an internal administrative report, he said, but had no authority to punish the men and should have contacted police. Mandarino said he could not confirm that anyone at the store ordered or approved the killings, while also saying the company could face civil liability.
Investigators said the arrests were part of an initial phase of the inquiry, and that they remain open to receiving information that could help identify others involved. Four other people were also arrested on suspicion of involvement; police said the group is suspected of drug trafficking. Search warrants were carried out at the supermarket and at homes in Nordeste de Amaralina and other parts of Salvador. One suspect was found in Conceição do Jacuípe, near Feira de Santana.
The case began after the bodies were found in Polêmica on April 26. The men were identified the following day. Yan’s mother later said he had been caught stealing meat at Atakarejo and that Bruno had sent audio messages describing what had happened and asking for help to prevent them from being handed over to traffickers.
The public security secretary also cited an earlier alleged assault involving the same supermarket’s security operation. A 15-year-old girl was reportedly physically assaulted after a theft at the store in October of the previous year; she did not report it at the time because she was afraid.
Atakarejo said in a statement that it would not comment on court decisions and would continue cooperating with authorities. The company expressed sympathy for the victims’ relatives and said it does not tolerate violence.
Sources: G1.