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Peru Cops Go Viral as World Cup Mascots to Nab Criminal
14 Jun
Summary
- Peruvian police dressed as World Cup mascots to arrest a criminal.
- The suspect was a large football fan caught up in World Cup fever.
- This tactic follows previous use of fictional character disguises by police.

Police in Peru have recently achieved viral fame for apprehending a suspect by dressing as the official mascots for the 2026 World Cup. Officers were seen as Clutch and Maple, mascots for the tournament held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
This innovative strategy was employed to arrest Carlos Cabrera, 48, who was identified as a passionate football fan. Colonel Carlos Alcantara stated that intelligence revealed the suspect was deeply engrossed in World Cup festivities, prompting the unique disguise.
The operation, which included using a sledgehammer to breach a door, was documented and shared by the police on TikTok. Peruvian police have a history of using creative disguises, having previously impersonated characters such as the Grinch, Freddy Krueger, Deadpool, and Wolverine to capture criminals.