Facial recognition leads to arrest of three fugitives at Vila Belmiro during Santos v Corinthians | OneFootball

Facial recognition led to the arrest of three wanted men at Vila Belmiro during Santos v Corinthians in the sixth round of Brazilian Série A on Sunday, 15 March, a 1-1 draw. According to Diario Do Peixe, they were detained at the stadium entrances.

The sixth Military Police Battalion said the suspects were first flagged during online ticket purchases, then confirmed at turnstiles fitted with facial recognition.

Four people with outstanding warrants were detected at purchase, but only three attended and were held. Two were wanted over unpaid child support, and the third faced robbery warrants in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul.

The arrests came via the Muralha Paulista programme, which cross checks ticket sales and facial recognition with the Banco Nacional de Mandados de Prisão. When an irregularity is found, entry is blocked and Military Police are called.

Major Anderson Rodrigo da Silva, who oversees information management at São Paulo’s public security secretariat, said the technology is helping curb criminal mobility and keep wanted individuals out of stadiums.

Between 11 and 15 March, 12 supporters were arrested at São Paulo venues, eight at Neo Química Arena, one at Allianz Parque and three at Vila Belmiro, the latter on the system’s first use at the Santos ground.

In all, the programme has logged 282 arrests across 105 monitored matches since its introduction at sports events in the state.

Source: Diario Do Peixe