A notorious female burglar known as Paola Carita Gobel, dubbed “Catwoman,” has been apprehended after a series of high-profile thefts in luxury apartments in São Paulo, Brazil. The police allege that Gobel, along with accomplices, stole cash, jewelry, and various high-end items from affluent residences, often posing as a resident herself.
According to authorities, Gobel gained entry to upscale residential buildings by feigning familiarity with the premises. Once inside, she targeted valuables, including money, jewelry, designer handbags, and watches. This latest arrest follows a previous charge in 2023, where Gobel was accused of stealing goods worth approximately £160,000 from a luxury flat.
Gobel’s cunning tactics included changing her appearance; she reportedly dyed her hair from red to blonde between burglaries in an attempt to evade recognition. This time, however, her plan unraveled when she rented an apartment using personal information stolen from a civil servant. The civil servant recognized the fraudulent use of his details and reported it, prompting police action.
On November 19, 2023, law enforcement officers executed a raid on the rented flat. Inside, they discovered drugs and a stolen vehicle in the garage. During the raid, Gobel and her associates provided false rental documentation to the officers. She was ultimately arrested the following day, along with three men who had assisted her in the burglaries.
Investigators noted that Gobel often worked with accomplices during her break-ins, though her gang had not yet targeted the complex where she was ultimately found. Reports indicate that one member of the group destroyed a mobile phone to prevent its seizure during the police operation. The suspects had arrived at the building just days before the arrest, carrying only a few bags and mattresses. They were observed covering their faces while filming other apartments, suggesting they were planning further crimes.
To gain entry, the group employed deceptive tactics, including using fake identities and distracting the doorman. One person would wait in a vehicle while another entered to facilitate the movement of stolen items out of the building. The police chief revealed that two of the individuals arrested had prior criminal records for serious offenses, including gang-related activities and burglaries.
As investigations continue, authorities are conducting forensic analyses on the suspects’ phones and are working to determine whether additional individuals assisted in the thefts from luxury homes. The suspects face multiple charges, including criminal association, vehicle identification tampering, receipt of stolen goods, trespass, and using false identities.
This arrest marks a significant development in a case that has drawn considerable public attention, highlighting the ongoing challenges of property crime in urban centers. The police remain vigilant as they pursue leads to uncover the full extent of the gang’s activities.
