On July 28, 2025, Brazilian journalist Clara Nery, a correspondent for Brazil’s Band network, was the victim of an attempted phone theft in Rio de Janeiro’s Botafogo neighborhood moments before going live on the Bora Brasil morning program. While texting on her phone, a motorcyclist approached from behind and tried to snatch it from her hands, an incident captured on camera. Nery screamed and swore, managing to retain her phone due to her tight grip, though the thief briefly dislodged it before fleeing when it fell to the ground. Surveillance footage provided a clear image of the suspect’s face, aiding police efforts, though the Rio de Janeiro Military Police were unable to locate him immediately after searching the area. Nery later shared on Instagram that she was unharmed, emphasizing the incident’s shock but noting everything turned out fine. The Rio de Janeiro Public Security Institute reported a 27% increase in phone thefts in June 2025 compared to June 2024, with 2,300 devices stolen versus 1,808 the previous year.
