A suspected thief was captured by residents of the Indaya neighborhood in the municipality of Marianao, Havana, and held until the police arrived. A video shared on YouTube by the independent media outlet Cubanet showed the moment when the individual was cornered by several neighbors, after allegedly stealing from one of the houses in the settlement.
In the video, it's mentioned that the police took a long time to arrive, during which the neighbors moved the alleged thief from where he was caught to one of the settlement's entrances. At no point does the video show violence from the neighbors towards the detained individual, who eventually appeared cooperative.
Incidents like these are becoming increasingly common in the country. In June, in Santiago de Cuba, a suspected thief was captured by residents of the San Pedrito neighborhood but was released because the police never showed up. Similarly, residents in the city of Las Tunas apprehended a man who had stolen a cellphone from a house and had six other phones in his possession, which he had presumably stolen the same day.
In Havana, a man accused of snatching phones was captured, beaten, and tied to a post. Recently, residents of the Sevillano neighborhood in Diez de Octubre, Havana, caught a thief who had broken into several houses in broad daylight, according to a citizen complaint. The individual was captured by local residents who decided to take matters into their own hands, beating him in the face after he was discovered, as evidenced by photos in a Facebook post.
FAQ on Neighborhood Vigilantism in Cuba
Given the recurring incidents of residents taking justice into their own hands, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why are residents apprehending thieves themselves?
Residents are increasingly taking matters into their own hands due to the perceived slow response times of the police and a lack of trust in the authorities to handle such situations effectively.
Is it legal for residents to detain suspected criminals?
While citizens have the right to defend their property, taking the law into their own hands, especially using force, can be legally precarious and is generally discouraged by authorities.
What are the risks involved in citizen arrests?
Citizen arrests can lead to escalation of violence, potential legal ramifications for the individuals involved, and can sometimes result in harm to both the suspect and the arresting citizens.