Simulated Explosive Shuts São Paulo’s Rodoanel for Hours Before Police Reopen Road

Overview

• A truck blocked all lanes at km 44/45 near Itapecerica da Serra after the driver reported an assault and said there were explosives in the cab.
• GATE bomb squad teams, Águia helicopters, drones and a canine unit secured the scene; by mid‑morning the item was declared a simulacrum and traffic was released.
• The driver, identified as Dener Laurito dos Santos, was removed after roughly four hours, fainted on exiting the cab, and was taken to a hospital.
• The closure triggered more than 40 km of congestion, with diversions set toward the Régis Bittencourt corridor as flows gradually normalized.
• Police are pursuing both a hijacking/sequestration case and the possibility of a psychotic episode; Sitrex defended the driver, who told police assailants wanted the truck to carry weapons to Rio, a claim under review.