Man Arrested Dressed as Woman Confesses to 80 Murders in Paraíba

Jorlan Lopes da Silva, 33, tried to flee Mulungu, Paraíba, dressed as a woman and carrying a child of about two years old on his lap. The joint operation by the Civil and Military Police, which lasted 48 hours, resulted in his arrest along with two other women detained for alleged ties to the same criminal faction.

How the escape was planned

The suspect used women's clothing, a wig, sandals, and painted nails to hinder identification. He left the child behind and tried to escape with a revolver, but a tattoo and his displaced dress allowed police officers to recognize him.

Confession and number of deaths

During the interrogation, Jorlan claimed to have committed about 80 homicides throughout his life, though the official figure still needs to be confirmed by the investigation. He also admitted to killing 11 people, according to CNN Brasil, and is being investigated for 16 homicides in three months in the Vale do Mamanguape.

Ties to a criminal faction

The Civil Police pointed out that the suspect has ties to a criminal faction originating from Rio de Janeiro that operates in Paraíba. He had allegedly been hiding in Cabedelo, in the Greater João Pessoa area, before fleeing to Mulungu.

Operation details

The preventive arrest warrant had already been issued by the Paraíba Judiciary. The operation had the support of the Federal Highway Police and the Integrated Command and Control Center. The suspect was taken to the Sílvio Porto Prison in João Pessoa after a custody hearing.

Situation of the child

The child found with Jorlan was well at the time of the arrest. There is no biological relation to him, and the circumstances of how the child ended up in the suspect's arms are still being investigated by the police.

With information from G1, CNN Brasil, Estadão.