In a shocking turn of events, João Ricardo Rangel Mendes, the former CEO of the travel company Hurb, was arrested on Friday, April 25, 2025, for stealing valuable works of art from both a luxury hotel and an architecture office in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. The total value of the stolen pieces is estimated at around R$ 28,000.
The arrest came after the management of a luxury shopping mall reported the theft to the police, which prompted an investigation by the 16th Police Station of Barra da Tijuca. Security cameras captured Mendes in the act, removing sculptures and paintings from an architecture office located within the shopping center.
According to police reports, Mendes had also committed a similar theft at a nearby hotel just days before. The security footage was crucial in linking both crimes to the same suspect, identified as Mendes, who was recognized by his distinctive motorcycle that he used during both thefts.
Upon his arrest, police discovered three ceramic sculptures and one painting, all stolen from the hotel, in Mendes's luxury penthouse. However, one painting valued at R$ 17,000 remains missing. Mendes attempted to evade capture by fleeing to the terrace of his apartment but was ultimately apprehended by the authorities.
João Ricardo Rangel Mendes, 44, had been the CEO of Hurb until 2023, a position he resigned from amid a series of controversies, including public insults directed at customers on social media platforms. Hurb, once a popular travel platform known for its flexible travel packages, has faced significant operational challenges, including canceled flights and subpar accommodations, leading to thousands of lawsuits against the company totaling nearly R$ 4 million in claims.
In April 2023, Mendes stepped down as CEO after a public outcry over his aggressive responses to customer complaints, which included derogatory remarks and the sharing of personal information of disgruntled clients. His resignation came during a tumultuous period for Hurb, which saw its registration in the Cadastur, the official tourism registry, revoked by the Ministry of Tourism due to numerous contractual breaches.
Following his resignation, Mendes continued to influence internal decisions at Hurb, including the controversial layoff of 200 employees in early 2025. The company has since been plagued by operational failures and legal troubles, with over 34,000 lawsuits filed against it.
In the wake of Mendes's arrest, the police have continued their investigation to recover the remaining stolen artwork and have stated that all recovered pieces will be returned to their rightful owners. Mendes has been charged with theft and is currently held at the José Frederico Marques Public Jail, awaiting a custody hearing.
This incident not only highlights the fall from grace of a once-prominent business figure but also raises questions about the operational integrity of Hurb and the future of the travel platform amid its ongoing legal challenges.
As the investigation unfolds, the public remains curious about the implications of Mendes's actions on Hurb's already tarnished reputation and the potential recovery of the remaining stolen artwork.
