A Brazilian gang leader tried to escape from prison by dressing up as his daughter when she visited him behind bars and walking out the penitentiary’s main door in her place, authorities said Aug. 4.
But prison officials said the nervousness displayed by Clauvino da Silva, also known as “Shorty,” as he tried to leave the prison in the western part of Rio de Janeiro dressed as a woman gave him away.
His plan was apparently to leave his 19-year-old daughter inside the jail. Police are looking into her possible role as an accomplice in Saturday’s failed escape attempt from Gericinó prison.
Rio’s State Secretary of Prison Administration released photos showing da Silva in a silicon girl’s mask and long dark-haired wig, wearing tight jeans and a pink shirt with a cartoon image of donuts. They also released a video in which da Silva can be seen removing the mask and some of the clothes, and saying his full name.
Authorities say da Silva was part of the leadership of the Red Command, one of the most powerful criminal groups in Brazil that controlled drug trafficking in a large part of Rio.
After the failed escape bid, da Silva was transferred to a unit of a maximum-security prison and will face disciplinary sanctions, officials said.
CCTV Footage Shows Armed Robber Wearing Laughable Disguise
In news related to bad disguies, the Metropolitan Police have released CCTV footage related to a 2017 cash-in-transit robbery in Enfield, London, where a thief used underwear as a disguise.
The thief, Jason Paul Keogh, 44, pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to seven years in jail on May 15, 2018.
Security camera footage taken before the robbery shows Keogh arranging underwear on his head as a disguise.
Police were called to reports of armed robbery of a security guard at a supermarket in north London on Sept. 10, 2017. No shots were fired during the robbery, and the guard was uninjured, police said.
Armed robber who used underpants as disguise is jailed for over 7 years #Enfield https://t.co/ylmAhnGX25 pic.twitter.com/79OsCM4S2C
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 16, 2018
“Despite the slightly comedic way Keogh disguised himself for this robbery, it shouldn’t detract from the fact this was a very serious offense that put people at real risk of harm,” Det. Insp. Jason Barber said. “The sentence handed down reflects this serious nature.”
Keogh used a silver revolver to steal a cash box, and then ran back to the same alleyway seen in the video. He was unable to open the cash box, and it was found hours later in a canal. The gun and three bullets were found nearby, the Press Association reported.
As he runs back to the alleyway after the crime, the underwear appears to obscure his view and he can be seen walking into the corner of the parked van as he tries to flee.
Times must be tough if armed robbers are having to resort to using grundies instead of stockings!
— Noddy Mac (@nod_maccy) May 16, 2018
A forensic investigation led to his identification as a suspect on Sept. 10, 2018. Police caught him on Nov. 29, 2018, according to the Press Association.
“The Flying Squad will continue to robustly investigate all crimes of this nature and continue to protect the industry and public against such dangerous individuals,” said Barber, via a news release from the Metropolitan Police. The Flying Squad is a group within the Metropolitan Police.
Some reports indicate what Keogh wore on his head were pants while others say it was underwear.
NTD reporter Colin Fredericson contributed to this report.