Brazil arrests serial killer suspect linked to 16 deaths

Brazilian police said Friday they had arrested a suspected serial killer linked to at least 16 deaths since May after a 30-hour manhunt in Paraiba state.

Police said the man was captured Sunday in a forested area in northeastern Brazil while wearing a dress and long black wig, which they described as a disguise to evade capture. They said he was carrying a baby in his arms.

Local media reported that the child was not related to the suspect. Police did not release details on the baby's condition or say where the child came from.

Police told AFP the suspect claimed involvement in 80 homicides, but civil police had confirmed his participation in 16 killings in the region, including 11 that he confessed to during questioning. The identities of the victims and details of the killings have not been made public.

Police said the suspect had escaped an earlier arrest attempt a few weeks ago after a confrontation with security forces, who consider him a member of an "ultra-violent" criminal group.

In an interrogation video obtained by AFP, the man said he acted alone, denied ties to organised crime and claimed his victims were linked to the criminal world. He said he was taking justice into his own hands after threats against himself and his family.

Police said that after the earlier arrest attempt they seized bulletproof vests, the stock of a submachine gun and more than 100 rounds of ammunition, which the man acknowledged during questioning were his.