Surveillance cameras of a neighbor captured the moment when, in broad daylight, a thief stole two bicycles from a home in the Playa municipality of Havana.
"Report of the theft of these two 27.5 bicycles, one Kamaron and the other Mongoose, they entered the house and took them, in Playa, zone 46 and 17," posted user Sabri Candas Santos in Facebook groups, where she shared a brief video of the incident.
The footage shows a young man taking a bicycle from a house. Upon exiting, he closes the barred door of the porch, descends some steps while carrying the bike, and mounts another one that was parked outside and apparently had been taken out earlier. He rides away calmly on the sidewalk, holding the other bike with one hand, in full view of a person who had just arrived and watches attentively but does not intervene.
The thief was wearing light-colored shorts, a gray t-shirt, a black cap, and also carried a dark backpack. The poster requested assistance, asking that "if anyone sees them being sold," to call the phone numbers 58187011 or 54022609.
Escalating Crime in Cuba
Given the rising crime rates in Cuba, many families and private businesses have had to take measures to prevent or record such incidents, including the installation of surveillance cameras. Thanks to these measures, both the camera owners and neighbors, as well as other victims of thefts, assaults, and other crimes, have been able to capture footage of the perpetrators in the act, thus facilitating their arrest.
Social media platforms frequently report cases of stolen household appliances, cell phones, money, and other valuables, all captured on security devices.
FAQs About Bicycle Theft in Havana
In light of the recent incident of bicycle theft in Havana, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to help you understand the situation better.
How common are bicycle thefts in Havana?
Bicycle thefts in Havana have become increasingly common, particularly in urban areas where the demand for bicycles is high due to transportation issues.
What measures are people taking to prevent theft?
Many people are installing surveillance cameras and using stronger locks to secure their bicycles and other valuables.
What should I do if I see a stolen bicycle being sold?
If you encounter a stolen bicycle being sold, you should report it to the authorities immediately and provide any relevant information to help recover the stolen property.