
Action delayed the start of work to tear down two studio apartments closed due to the risk of landslides in the Santa Helena neighborhood by around three hours.
AI-generated summary
Constructions were blocked due to the risk of landslides after rain and threatening the state school.
VIDEO: Man is arrested after putting toothpicks in a backhoe to prevent demolition in Juiz de Fora
Action delayed the start of work to tear down two studio apartments closed due to the risk of landslides in the Santa Helena neighborhood by around three hours.
By Ester Vallim, Maria Elisa Diniz, g1 Zona da Mata — Juiz de Fora
A 74-year-old man was arrested this Friday (6) after putting toothpicks in the ignition of a backhoe. The case took place in Juiz de Fora.
The constructions were closed by the Civil Defense after inspections identified 4 landslide points. The situation threatened the security of a state school.
The Military Police were called in the morning because the owner was making the work difficult. He spoke to the police and promised not to interfere any further.
About 3 hours later, the owner threw a rock at the equipment from 20 meters high. The impact almost caused the vehicle to overturn.
The construction of the 2 kitchenettes was halted in March 2026, but the works continued. The man had previously attacked servers.
A 74-year-old man was arrested this Friday (6) after placing toothpicks in the ignition system of a backhoe and throwing stones at the equipment to prevent the demolition of two kitchenettes located at the back of a property on Rua Olímpio Reis, in the Santa Helena neighborhood, in Juiz de Fora.
According to City Hall, the man is the owner of the buildings, which would be demolished by court order after being considered at risk by the Civil Defense following the February rain tragedy.
The property was closed after an inspection identified four landslides in the area. According to the municipality, the situation threatens the safety of the Maria das Dores de Souza State School, located just below the land.
According to the Military Police report, the military were called this Friday morning (6) because the man was making it difficult to comply with the court order, including preventing a precautionary inspection of the property from being carried out. After speaking with the police, he promised not to interfere with the services any longer.
Man even threw rocks at backhoe
However, about three hours later, the military was called again. According to professionals working on the demolition, the man threw a stone at the equipment while a worker operated the backhoe from approximately 20 meters high.
The impact hit the protective glass of the cabin and, according to information provided to the Military Police, the shock almost caused the vehicle to overturn. Nobody was injured.
Still according to City Hall, the man had already made threats and attacks against employees and other professionals involved in the interventions, in addition to disrupting a conciliation hearing held on Tuesday (4).
In March 2026, the construction of the two kitchenettes at the back of the land was blocked. According to City Hall, despite the shutdown order, the works were completed and the units were offered for rent.
Given the non-compliance with the guidelines and the continued risk situation, the Public Prosecutor's Office recommended the demolition of the structures, a request that was accepted by the courts.
g1 contacted the Civil Police to find out if the man had been released, but had no response until the last update of this report.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Definition of the release of the suspect by the Civil Police
Likely · Within days

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