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Residents of Santiago de Cuba caught a thief on the street, tied his hands, and left him immobilized while waiting for the police to arrive and officially arrest him.
The incident occurred on Friday in the Petrocasas neighborhood and was recorded by a witness who sent the photos to journalist Yosmany Mayeta.
"According to the person who sent the images, this is not the first time this man has been captured by the neighbors and handed over to the police, who release him after a few hours," the journalist noted on his Facebook wall.
Mayeta asked her followers to reveal the name of the wrongdoer and where he lives.
Many people in the post identified him as Orlando Padilla Palacio, known as Orlandito.
According to reports, the individual is an alcoholic and has numerous records of theft, fraud, and other crimes in his area of residence in the 13 de Agosto neighborhood, near the Labiofam company and the Mariana Grajales amphitheater.
It is becoming increasingly common in Cuba for citizens to apprehend thieves, in a context characterized by a rise in crime and violence that contrasts with the ineffective police response.
Less than a month ago, several people caught a criminal who snatched a chain from a foreign tourist in Old Havana.
According to a post on a Facebook account associated with the Ministry of the Interior, around 3:00 pm on a Saturday, several men witnessed the assault and robbery of a chain from a tourist from Great Britain in the historic center of the city.
"A group of young people in Old Havana witnessed the scene and cornered the individual," and "they immediately called the law enforcement," noted the profile identified as Ransel Londres.
The victim of the robbery and a tourist accompanying him were assisted at the scene. The police returned the stolen item.
In mid-December, residents of the 30 de Noviembre neighborhood, in Santiago de Cuba, detained a thief who tried to rob an elderly man and then attempted to flee.
The incident occurred in an area outside the city center known as Los Camilitos, where "the thief snatched the backpack from an elderly man with a cane, and some neighbors chased him down and tied him to a pole," reported journalist Yosmany Mayeta.
A few days earlier, a 19-year-old young man who was trying to escape after committing a robbery was apprehended by residents of a neighborhood in the municipality of Guantánamo.
The incident, which occurred around 10:00 am, began when a man ran after the thief. The criminal was carrying a bag and a backpack, which caught the attention of the people.
After the arrest, the neighbors found a knife, a sack with adult ducks, and a bag containing cigarettes, clothing, shoes, and other items. Additionally, the thief confessed that he had hidden a tank with rice, pots, and an induction stove, intending to retrieve them later.
Upon being handed over to the police, they confirmed that the young man had committed other thefts in the neighborhood days prior. The victim recovered their belongings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crime and Safety in Santiago de Cuba
Why do the neighbors of Santiago de Cuba decide to stop the thieves?
The residents of Santiago de Cuba are taking justice into their own hands due to rising crime and the lack of effective police action. The perception of insecurity and the authorities' inability to curb the wave of criminality have led residents to take matters into their own hands to protect their communities.
What measures are Cuban citizens taking in response to the lack of security?
In light of the police's inefficiency, Cuban citizens are taking matters into their own hands to stop criminals. Neighbors capture thieves and hold them until authorities arrive, reflecting a distrust in the country's security institutions and a growing desperation to protect themselves amid a wave of crime.
How have communities reacted to the increase in crime in Cuba?
Communities in Cuba have begun to take proactive action in response to the rise in crime. Residents are organizing to apprehend criminals and hand them over to the police, as they believe that the measures taken by the authorities are insufficient to ensure their safety.
Who is Orlando Padilla Palacio, known as Orlandito?
Orlando Padilla Palacio, known as Orlandito, is a man with numerous records of theft, fraud, and other crimes in Santiago de Cuba. According to the neighbors, he is an alcoholic and has been captured several times by the community, but released a few hours later by the police.
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