Four individuals ambushed and assaulted a young man to steal his motorcycle in the city of Las Tunas last Thursday. The victim, Yordano Colón Ocampo, reported the attack on social media, sharing photos of the stolen bike and the injury inflicted on his back with a pipe.
"The night before last, at the same stop by the Mella Stadium, I was coming from town when four guys, who were hiding, suddenly appeared, hit me with a pipe, and took my motorcycle. Thanks to God, I managed to survive," Colón explained in a post on the Facebook group “Motorcycle Sales in Las Tunas.”
The young man is offering a $200 reward to anyone who provides information about the motorcycle's whereabouts and shared a contact number for tips.
He stated that the second goal of his post was to make the incident public, "so people know it was a violent robbery," adding, "Wherever I find a piece of it, I'll hold that person accountable."
The assault and theft Colón experienced are part of a wave of motorcycle robberies that have surged in Cuba in recent years.
Recently, a family in Havana had to take matters into their own hands to recover their stolen motorcycle after the police failed to assist. According to their account, one of the criminals rented the bike, and upon reaching a pre-arranged location, he and an accomplice assaulted the rider, threatened him with a knife, and stole the motorcycle.
Using GPS, the owner tracked the bike to a house in La Güinera and managed to recover it with the help of friends. Although the police arrested two individuals involved, they were released shortly after, a source close to the affected family reported.
Incidents like these occur daily in Cuba, leaving victims with little to no recourse to prevent theft, recover stolen property, or see the perpetrators prosecuted. Meanwhile, the population continues to criticize the authorities' ineffectiveness in addressing the rising crime wave in the country.
Understanding the Crime Wave in Cuba
In light of the recent surge in thefts and assaults, here are some frequently asked questions to help understand the situation better.
What is causing the increase in motorcycle thefts in Cuba?
The rise in motorcycle thefts in Cuba can be attributed to economic hardships, lack of effective law enforcement, and the high demand for motorcycles, which are a valuable commodity in the country.
How are victims responding to the lack of police assistance?
Victims often resort to taking matters into their own hands by tracking their stolen property, organizing recovery efforts with friends, and using social media to publicize the incidents and seek community support.
What steps can be taken to improve safety and reduce thefts in Cuba?
Improving safety and reducing thefts would require stronger law enforcement presence, more effective policing, community watch programs, and public awareness campaigns to deter criminal activities.