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Peru Police Disguised as World Cup Mascots Arrest a Suspected Drug Dealer in Lima

Mascots of the World Cup, Maple the Moose (L), Zayu the Jaguar (C) and Clutch the Bald Eagle pose for a picture ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 11, 2026. (AFP)
Mascots of the World Cup, Maple the Moose (L), Zayu the Jaguar (C) and Clutch the Bald Eagle pose for a picture ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 11, 2026. (AFP)
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Peru Police Disguised as World Cup Mascots Arrest a Suspected Drug Dealer in Lima

Mascots of the World Cup, Maple the Moose (L), Zayu the Jaguar (C) and Clutch the Bald Eagle pose for a picture ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 11, 2026. (AFP)
Mascots of the World Cup, Maple the Moose (L), Zayu the Jaguar (C) and Clutch the Bald Eagle pose for a picture ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 11, 2026. (AFP)

Two Peruvian police officers disguised as World Cup mascots Clutch and Maple helped to arrest a suspected drug dealer in Lima.

Colonel Carlos Alcántara, head of the Green Squadron —a unit that combats common crime — said they captured Carlos Cabrera, 48, with the help of the two undercover agents on Thursday during the opening match of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa.

“Thanks to intelligence work, we realized that this person was a diehard football fan and was caught up in World Cup fever," Alcántara said. "Therefore, we decided to disguise personnel as World Cup mascots so we could approach him without raising suspicion and apprehend him.”

The officers as mascots used a metal sledgehammer to break down a door to enter with colleagues.

For the World Cup, Clutch is a bald eagle representing the United States, while Maple is a moose representing Canada. México is symbolized by a jaguar named Zayu.

Police said 2,524 packets of cocaine base and a gun were found during the operation. In Peru, the micro-trafficking of drugs is punishable by three to seven years in prison when a person is found with five to 50 grams of cocaine base.

In previous operations, Peruvian police have disguised themselves as other fictional movie characters such as the Grinch, Freddy Krueger, Deadpool and Wolverine and even Santa Claus to approach those they are going to arrest without arousing suspicion.

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England Hit by Training Kit Theft Ahead of Kansas City Arrival

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - England Training - Gardens North County District Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, US - June 9, 2026 England's Jude Bellingham, Reece James and Kobbie Mainoo during training. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - England Training - Gardens North County District Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, US - June 9, 2026 England's Jude Bellingham, Reece James and Kobbie Mainoo during training. (Reuters)
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England Hit by Training Kit Theft Ahead of Kansas City Arrival

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - England Training - Gardens North County District Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, US - June 9, 2026 England's Jude Bellingham, Reece James and Kobbie Mainoo during training. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - England Training - Gardens North County District Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, US - June 9, 2026 England's Jude Bellingham, Reece James and Kobbie Mainoo during training. (Reuters)

England have ‌suffered a theft of training equipment ahead of their arrival in Kansas City, local police said, after a vehicle transporting the gear to their World Cup base was broken into.

The incident occurred while equipment was ‌being transferred ‌from England's pre-tournament ‌base ⁠in Florida to ⁠Swope Soccer Village, where it was due to be in place before the squad begin training after their arrival in Kansas City ⁠on Saturday.

"We are investigating ‌a ‌possible theft of equipment from a ‌team vehicle that arrived ‌in Kansas City with items missing this evening," police said.

"The investigation is ongoing. Two subjects ‌of interest were taken into custody pending further investigation."

Balls ⁠and ⁠boots were among the items believed to have been stolen, according to British media reports.

Reuters has contacted the Football Association for comment.

The theft could affect England's preparations for their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday in Dallas.

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Woman Critically Injured in Shark Attack off Sydney’s Coogee Beach

Lifeguards erect a sign that says "Beach Closed" following a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, June 13, 2026. (Reuters)
Lifeguards erect a sign that says "Beach Closed" following a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, June 13, 2026. (Reuters)
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Woman Critically Injured in Shark Attack off Sydney’s Coogee Beach

Lifeguards erect a sign that says "Beach Closed" following a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, June 13, 2026. (Reuters)
Lifeguards erect a sign that says "Beach Closed" following a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, June 13, 2026. (Reuters)

A woman was critically injured off a popular Sydney beach on Saturday in the latest in a spate of shark attacks in Australia.

The woman, believed to be in her 30s, suffered serious leg and arm injuries in the attack at 11:15 a.m. off Coogee Beach, a police statement said.

Three spearfishing divers have been killed by sharks off the Australian coast since May 16, bringing the total of fatalities in the nation this year to four.

Australia has averaged between two and three fatal shark attacks a year since 2000, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database, a partnership of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Flinders University and the New South Wales state government.

On Saturday, police said the victim was attacked while swimming. Bystanders pulled her from the water and commenced first aid on the beach before paramedics arrived, the statement said.

The victim was taken to a rugby field near the beach from where she was flown by helicopter to a hospital. Police described her condition as critical.

Last Saturday, a 4.5-meter (15-foot) white shark killed Daniel Turpin, 35, as he was spearfishing with family off Michaelmas Island near the port city of Albany in Western Australia state.

On May 24, 39-year-old spearfishing diver Michael Jensz suffered fatal head injuries in an attack on the Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s northeast coast. Bull sharks had been seen in the vicinity.

A week earlier, on May 16, a four-meter (13-foot) white shark fatally mauled 38-year-old spearfishing diver Steve Mattabonni off the coast of Perth, Western Australia.

Australia’s other fatal shark attack this year occurred in January, when a 12-year-old boy died in a hospital days after he was mauled by a bull shark in Sydney Harbor.

Last year, Australia recorded five fatal shark attacks. Attacks in Australia have become more common over the decades as the population has grown and activities such as surfing and scuba diving have gained in popularity.

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World Cup Underway in United States and the Winner is Freddy

A USA fan holds a sign as she arrives at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between USA and Paraguay in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP
A USA fan holds a sign as she arrives at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between USA and Paraguay in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP
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World Cup Underway in United States and the Winner is Freddy

A USA fan holds a sign as she arrives at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between USA and Paraguay in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP
A USA fan holds a sign as she arrives at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between USA and Paraguay in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP

The World Cup is officially underway in the United States and the biggest breakout star is...Freddy.

The young German fan, roadtripping with two pals from Atlanta to Houston to watch his team play, has captured the adoration of many Americans -- and even the White House -- with his posts on X gushing over mainstays of the US heartland.

"This is the most 'The European mind can't comprehend this' moment of my life. One of my friends said, 'Punch me five times tomorrow and I'll still think this isn't real," he said of taking in an Argentina-Iceland friendly at the 88,000-seat stadium on the campus of Alabama's Auburn University.

His videos showed fireworks exploding above the scoreboards, and the school's live "War Eagle" mascot swooping over the field.

Other updates from @FreddyLA7 showcased his newfound love of 24-hour diner Waffle House, country star Ella Langley, Alabama sunsets and gas station Buc-ees with its 100 pumps and extensive gift shop.

A White House account shared Freddy's post about a "surreal" outdoor goods store with a shooting range, declaring: "WELCOME TO AMERICA!"

Americans have responded to the unfolding travelogue with enthusiasm, sharing words of welcome, offers to help fund the trio's journey, and plenty of suggestions of places to eat along the way.

"This is the real America right here. Have fun boys," one user wrote.

"I think Freddy has earned a green card by now," said another, tagging Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"I got you covered in Houston big dog," offered JJ Watt, retired star of the NFL's Texans.

- Chicken fried steak -

The lovefest comes as the United States navigates stark political divisions under President Donald Trump, with ordinary Americans stinging from inflation, high gas prices and a deeply unpopular war in Iran.

"We want to show visitors that we are more than the scary headlines they read in their newspapers. We want to introduce them to the uniquely American things we enjoy because we hope they'll enjoy them, too," Yahoo Sports' Dan Wolken wrote on Thursday.

"That's just how we are, and this World Cup can be a turning point not only in how others view us, but how we view ourselves."

Other social media posts from World Cup visitors include a Scotsman praising chicken fried steak ("You'll realize we and the Americans are kindred spirits"), a Japanese fan delighting in bottomless chips and salsa, and a English tourist happy in a Florida summer rainstorm.

"It's raining! But it's hot! And I love it!" he said.

Even Spanish phenom Lamine Yamal got a taste of America's particular charms, posting a photo of himself pushing a full shopping cart outside a Walmart.

An online video showed the 18-year-old walking in the store, apparently with no one there knowing who he was.

On Friday, the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans answered a question that had been on many minds: was Freddy actually real and not an AI creation?

"We can confirm Freddy is real, is German and loves New Orleans," the team said on X, after treating the popular visitor and his friends to a tour of their facilities.