In Santiago de Cuba, two alleged thieves were apprehended by local residents in separate, unrelated incidents. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared videos on his Facebook page showing the suspects restrained by citizens while awaiting police arrival.
The first suspect was caught at the entrance of the Ensueño store, situated in the city center. The video shows the man lying face down on the ground with his hands tied behind his back, apparently after attempting to steal a bag or a stereo from a vehicle.
The second suspect, a young man, was known for snatching phones and was captured by locals outside a five-story building on Trocha Street. Mayeta has asked his followers for assistance in identifying him.
Community Action Against Rising Crime
Recent months have seen numerous instances in Cuba where citizens have taken it upon themselves to capture criminals, highlighting the surge in crime and the inadequacy of police response. Just last week, Havana residents detained a young man accused of robbing high school students. The 18-year-old allegedly threatened teenagers with a knife to steal their mobile phones.
Facebook user Martin Serrano posted images of this young thief, who was tied up by the community. Serrano recounted how his daughter and her school friends were targeted by the assailant, who, along with an accomplice who fled, managed to steal two phones at knifepoint.
Increasing Vigilance Amid Police Inefficiency
Earlier this month, a man was caught attempting to steal a turbine from Primary School 8 in the Nuevo Vista Alegre district of Santiago de Cuba. According to journalist Mayeta Labrada, the school's security staff heard noises around 8:00 pm and discovered the man with the partially dismantled turbine hidden in a backpack. They restrained the suspect by tying his feet before notifying the authorities.
In late September, Santiago de Cuba residents captured another thief who tried to snatch a phone from a young woman in the city center. The culprit was dragged and beaten by an angry crowd before being handed over to the nearest police station.
"Many people have applauded these acts of vigilante justice, arguing that if they don't take matters into their own hands, these criminals will be back on the streets in no time," noted Yosmany Mayeta on Facebook.