A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champ is being held by police after confessing to series of horrific knifepoint rapes and robberies of sex workers.
Erberth Santos de Mesquita, 29, has confessed to at least four attacks, but police in Boituva, Brazil, believe the true total could be much higher.
Heavyweight Santos was the 2017 IBJJF world champion and was nicknamed “Dino” as a young fighter because of his enormous strength.
Santos and another fighter – named as Andre Pessoa – were arrested on 24th August and reportedly confessed to the hold-ups.
Police say the pair would arrange to meet hookers at their homes in Tres Lagoas and Campo Grande and then rape and rob them.
Harrowingly, say investigators, they tied up their terrified victims and threatened them at knifepoint.
During the arrests, officers seized 26 mobile phones and multiple knives from the suspects.
Santos – identified by a large inking of an AK-47 assault rifle on his chest – was caught on CCTV breaking open a safe at the home of one of his victims.
Pessoa was also filmed rummaging through a fridge at the home as the half-naked victim pleaded with the men.
Local media say the disgraced athletes will be transferred to a prison in Tres Lagoas as investigations continue.
