Cell phone thefts drop 19% in Pará; the third largest drop in Brazil, confirms Yearbook
The Public Security Yearbook also points out, in absolute numbers, the significant drop of 5,825 cases between the years 2023 and 2024
The Government of Pará reaffirms its commitment to the safety of the population and presents a concrete result: a reduction of 19.4% in cell phone thefts between January and December of 2023 and 2024. In absolute numbers, it was the third largest drop among the 26 states and the federal district of the federation. The result was presented in the 19th edition of the Public Security Yearbook, released by the Brazilian Forum on Public Security.
According to the study, there were 29,966 theft records in 2023 and 24,141 in 2024 during the same period. In absolute numbers, there were 5,825 fewer cases between the two years. In the national ranking of reduction, Pará was behind only the states of São Paulo (1st) and Bahia (2nd) and surpassed Piauí (4th), Amazonas (5th), and Espírito Santo (6th).
In 2023, the rate of cell phone thefts per 100,000 inhabitants was 347.8 and fell to 278.6 in 2024, a smaller variation of 20%. The percentages indicate the good path that Public Security in Pará has been taking since 2019, attests the Secretary of Public Security, Ualame Machado.
"The significant reduction in cell phone thefts has a direct impact on the lives of the people of Pará. Achieving the third largest drop in absolute numbers among the 26 states and the federal district (DF) of the federation is an achievement that motivates us to move forward. This milestone is the result of integrated and coordinated work, which involves investments in technology, intelligence, and training of our agents. This progress is due to our commitment to public safety and the adoption of innovative technologies, such as the IMEIGuard app, which allows for quick consultations about a device during police approaches," highlighted the secretary.
Theft and robbery of cell phones
In the accumulated records of cell phone thefts and robberies, Pará also recorded another reduction. In 2023, there were 53,441 occurrences, compared to 50,157, representing a decline of 6.1%. In terms of the rate per 100,000 inhabitants, it was 620.2 in 2023 and 578.9 in 2024, a variation of 7%.
2025 continues to show reduction
In addition to the data presented by the Brazilian Forum, in 2025, according to the survey by the Undersecretariat of Intelligence and Criminal Analysis (Siac), linked to Segup, Pará recorded 10,867 occurrences of cell phone theft from January to June, indicating a reduction of 14.4% compared to the same period in 2024, which recorded 12,697 occurrences.
Regarding the crime of cell phone thefts, Pará recorded a 3% reduction by counting 12,188 and 11,854 cases in the first half of the years 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Operations and arrests - Through the Civil Police of Pará, in operations and investigations, 5,872 cell phones were recovered in 2024. In July of this year, during patrol and inspection of vessels on the Tajapuru River in Breves, 82 stolen cell phones were seized and one man was arrested. The merchandise was being transported on the vessel 'F/B Maria Evanir', originating from Santana in Amapá and destined for the capital of Pará, Belém.
In June of this year, PCPA launched the second phase of Operation “Mãos de Magneto”, coordinated by the Delegation for the Protection of Fans and Major Events (DPTGE). The objective was to execute 13 search and seizure warrants at the residences of individuals investigated for cell phone thefts at stadiums and major events in the capital. All warrants were executed: 11 in the Metropolitan Region of Belém, 1 in Benevides, and another in Cametá. During the action, 24 cell phones were seized, sent to the specialized police station, and examined.
Technology allied to combat
To curb the practice of cell phone theft and robbery, state security forces use three integrated applications for recording, notifications, and recovery of stolen or robbed cell phones. Alerta Celular Pará registers the user and device through a link via CPF, contributing to the identification of the owner; ImeiGuard is used by security forces during approaches with IMEI research of the device; and Reconecta is the notification dispatch system for holders of stolen, robbed, or lost devices.
Implemented a year ago in Pará, IMEIGuard has already conducted 37,612 IMEI searches, recovering about 1,307 cell phones in Pará. The tool, launched at the first Parárraiá held in the capital of Pará in 2024, has been used strategically since then for the identification and recovery of stolen or robbed cell phones.
