In a bold community act, residents of a neighborhood in the municipality of Guantánamo managed to capture a 19-year-old attempting to flee after committing theft. The incident unfolded around 10 a.m. last Wednesday when a man was seen chasing the thief. Witness Yoel Peña Ramírez shared on Facebook that the sight of the suspect carrying a sack and a bag sparked the locals' attention.
Upon capturing the young man, the community members discovered he was armed with a knife. In addition, they found a sack containing adult ducks and a bag filled with various goods, including cigarettes, clothing, shoes, and other items. The thief also admitted to having hidden a tank with rice, pots, and an induction stove, intending to retrieve them later.
"Seeing such a young individual involved in this filled me with sorrow, but I knew I had to do my duty. Along with other neighbors, we ensured he wasn't harmed despite many being furious. We subsequently handed him over to the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) and were able to return all the stolen goods to the rightful owner," the witness recounted.
The PNR later confirmed that the detained youth had been involved in other thefts in the area in recent days. This incident reflects a growing trend in Cuba where locals take it upon themselves to detain thieves caught in the act.
For instance, in Santiago de Cuba, a group of residents captured a thief who had broken into a house during daylight. While they held him until the police arrived, some witnesses reported that the thief was beaten before being handed over to authorities. In another event within the same district, residents of the Los Pinos neighborhood apprehended a man attempting to steal. He was restrained until the police could take him into custody.
Community Involvement in Crime Prevention in Cuba
What prompted the residents to capture the thief in Guantánamo?
The sight of the young man carrying a sack and a bag, and being chased by another individual, drew the attention of the locals, prompting them to take action.
What items were found with the captured thief?
The thief was found with a knife, a sack containing adult ducks, and a bag with various goods such as cigarettes, clothing, shoes, and other items.
How did the community handle the situation after capturing the thief?
The community ensured the thief wasn't harmed despite the anger of many residents, and they handed him over to the National Revolutionary Police while returning all stolen goods to the victim.