Brazilian police arrested a suspected repeat thief on his 18th birthday after waiting months for him to become legally eligible for arrest.
Officers carried out the operation at his home, disguising it as a birthday surprise.
Videos from the scene quickly went viral online. They show officers singing, smiling, and presenting a cake to the teenager as he officially turned 18.
Moments later, the celebration took a sharp turn when police placed him under arrest.
Authorities said the teen had been under investigation for a string of thefts but could not be detained earlier due to his age.
In Brazil, suspects under 18 are treated as minors and cannot be arrested in the same way as adults. Police therefore waited until the exact day he reached adulthood.
According to reports, officers realized it was the suspectâs birthday while reviewing his identification details. That discovery led to the unusual plan.
When the teen answered the door, police staged the mock celebration before informing him he was being taken into custody.
The birthday arrest marked the end of what police described as a long-running effort to detain the suspect legally.
A similar case occurred in June, when authorities arrested another teenager on his 18th birthday for allegedly supplying drugs.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions online. Some users praised the police for their patience and planning. Others questioned the ethics of turning an arrest into a public spectacle.
Authorities later expressed regret and launched an internal review as the unusual scene sparked nationwide debate.
