A woman, known as ‘the Criminal Barbie’, aged 32, has been apprehended for allegedly planning to rob several upscale apartments in an intricate scheme. Paola Co Carita Gobel, along with three men, was arrested for infiltrating a luxury complex in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to commit burglaries. Gobel, also referred to as ‘Catwoman’ (‘Mulher Gato’) by local media, has a history of gaining access to high-end residential buildings under false pretenses, such as posing as a friend, relative, or escort, to steal valuable items. This recent arrest stemmed from suspicions raised by neighbors when Gobel and her accomplices moved into a rented flat within the complex with minimal belongings and were observed filming neighboring properties incognito. Authorities launched an investigation after receiving a tip-off and discovered irregularities in the rental agreement, which bore the name of a civil servant who had reported identity theft. Marcel Willian Oliveira de Souza, the police chief from Brazil’s Special Department of Criminal Investigations (DEIC), stated that these discrepancies, coupled with witness reports of suspicious behavior, led them to believe the property was being used for criminal activities. During a raid on November 19, law enforcement found drugs, a fraudulent rental agreement, and a stolen vehicle in the garage. Additionally, one suspect attempted to destroy a mobile phone to prevent its seizure. The Civil Police are awaiting forensic analysis of the suspects’ phones to uncover further evidence and determine if additional individuals were involved in the criminal activities. The group faces charges including criminal conspiracy, falsifying vehicle registration, handling stolen goods, trespassing, and identity fraud. Highlighting Gobel’s criminal history, Police Chief Oliveira de Souza mentioned that two of the arrested individuals had prior run-ins with the law for more serious offenses. Gobel, nicknamed ‘Catwoman’ and ‘Barbie of Crime’, was previously involved in a burglary where approximately one million reais (£140,000) were stolen. She was apprehended at her boyfriend’s residence, where drugs were found in his possession.
