RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Marcelo Gomez was taking the bus home from a soccer match at Maracana stadium, where the World Cup final will be played, when a teenager slid into the seat beside him and another boy took the seat behind him.

The one next to him growled at Gomez to hand over his wallet and cellphone, whispering that his friend had a gun. The 35-year-old truck driver didn’t see any weapon, but as is standard practice in Brazil, where thieves often kill if met with resistance, he handed over his belongings. The boys then moved on to rob another passenger a few rows back, then others after that.