A group of citizens took matters into their own hands when they captured a thief who had mugged an elderly man in the Vedado district of Havana this past Thursday. The dramatic scene, where the alleged criminal was seized and later handed over to the police, was recorded on video by a witness and shared on social media by Cuban journalist Mario Vallejo.
"Right now! In front of the Vedado hotel in Havana, everyday Cubans managed to subdue a thief who was snatching purses and backpacks from his victims. And yet the regime claims crime on the island is minimal," Vallejo remarked.
The footage reveals several individuals restraining the thief along Calle O, between 23rd and 25th streets, before escorting him through the service entrance of the hotel, where he was held until police arrived. The woman who filmed the incident noted that hotel staff kept him there because "people were ready to beat him up."
A patrol car arrived merely minutes later, and two officers took the offender into custody, transporting him to a police station. Comments on the video suggest that the suspect had attempted to rob more than one person. One of the victims, an elderly man, is seen in the video entering the Vedado hotel alongside employees who aided in the thief's capture.
Rising Crime Amidst Systemic Crisis
Amid Cuba's ongoing systemic crisis, there has been a noticeable uptick in urban and rural insecurity, marked by frequent thefts, armed robberies, and homicides. In many instances, residents are choosing to take justice into their own hands to apprehend criminals and turn them over to the authorities. However, there is often little assurance that these criminals will remain in custody or face appropriate legal consequences.