The Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) requested, this Friday (9), the inclusion of the name of João Ricardo Mendes, former CEO of the Hurb travel agency, on Interpol’s red list of wanted people, in addition to blocking his passport.
He has been considered a fugitive since Wednesday (7). João Ricardo Mendes was arrested last Monday (5) at Jericoacoara Regional Airport, in Ceará, carrying a false document and with his electronic ankle bracelet unloaded. However, he was released after passing the custody hearing.
The Rio Court decreed this Wednesday (7) the preventive arrest of João Ricardo Rangel Mendes. In the decision, judge André Felipe Veras de Oliveira, from the 32nd Criminal Court, ordered the arrest due to “an obvious risk to public order and the application of criminal law”.
The businessman was charged in May 2025 with the crimes of qualified theft and tampering with vehicle identification, and was responding to the case at liberty until he was arrested in Ceará. The defense claims that the defendant did not fail to comply with the precautionary measures.
