Alleged thieves of an electric scooter in the Diez de Octubre district of Havana were captured by residential surveillance cameras in the area. The owner of the scooter shared these images in hopes of locating the culprits. The incident occurred on November 1st around 3:40 p.m., according to various posts by the vehicle's owner, identified as Arthur King, on Facebook groups in recent days.
The footage from the cameras shows a man dressed in white riding the stolen scooter, accompanied by another individual on a separate motorcycle, which appears to have been their mode of arrival at the scene of the theft. However, the social media posts do not clarify the exact location or method of how the scooter was stolen. The owner has reported the incident to the authorities, providing them with videos and photos of the suspects.
Furthermore, the owner has promised a reward to anyone who can provide information about the suspects and shared his phone number for contact. "I will find them; pray the police do it first," he warned.
Rising Crime Amidst Economic Crisis
The surge in thefts and other crimes in Cuba has been exacerbated by the ongoing economic crisis, a fact acknowledged by the government, though they have yet to release public statistics on criminal activity. Social media and independent news outlets have become essential sources for citizens to learn about robberies, violent assaults, murders, and other crimes, which have increased in recent years, contributing to a pervasive atmosphere of violence and insecurity on Cuban streets.
Community Measures and Challenges
Faced with the inefficacy and lack of response from police forces to tackle the rise in crime, it is not uncommon for community members or passersby to take matters into their own hands to apprehend wrongdoers. Additionally, installing surveillance cameras has become a common practice in neighborhoods to identify and facilitate the capture of thieves.