A Brazilian television reporter was mugged on camera moments before she was due to go live on air. Clara Nery, a journalist for the Band network, was preparing for a broadcast in Botafogo, a neighbourhood in southern Rio de Janeiro, when a man on a motorbike snatched her phone.
The incident occurred on Monday, July 28, as Nery was typing on her phone ahead of the Bora Brasil morning programme. Footage shows the assailant slowly approaching on a motorbike before swiping the device from her hand. Nery screamed and chased after the thief, who failed to steal the phone as she had a firm grip on it.
In a social media post, Nery confirmed she was unhurt and that her phone was recovered intact. She said: 'I had my back turned when this man rode by on a motorcycle on the sidewalk and tried to take my phone. Luckily, and despite his lack of skill, I managed to retrieve the phone.'
The Rio de Janeiro Military Police searched the area but did not locate the suspect. However, CCTV footage provided a clear image of the man, which Nery shared online, urging the public to help identify him. She expressed gratitude to the police and said she trusted they would make an arrest.
The attempted mugging comes amid a rise in phone thefts in Rio de Janeiro. According to the Rio de Janeiro Public Security Institute, cell phone thefts increased by 27% in June compared to the same month in 2024, with over 2,300 devices stolen.
