A group of citizens in Santiago de Cuba staged a chase and capture of a suspected thief who, according to witnesses, snatched a phone in broad daylight.
The incident took place on a busy street in the city center, where the victim alerted passersby and triggered a swift response from the community.
The independent communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada reported the incident through his social media, sharing a video of the arrest with the following description: "Violent acts, assaults, and robberies in broad daylight continue to prevail in the province of Santiago de Cuba.”
"This afternoon, a phone thief was captured in the heart of the city," and as has happened on other occasions, "ordinary people, those who are not military or hold ranks, caught him," he pointed out.
According to a source cited by Mayeta, the alleged thief was apprehended in the areas surrounding the 18 Plantas building, thanks to the intervention of a group of young people who chased him down until cornering him.
"Thanks to a group of young people who pursued him, they caught him," affirmed the source.
At that moment, a passing police officer intervened and managed to intercept him on D Street in Portuondo, where he was ultimately arrested. He was then taken to the Third Police Station, known as La Motorizada.
In the images shared on social media, dozens of people can be seen following the individual for several blocks as he is being escorted by the police.
This type of incident has raised concerns in Santiago de Cuba, where residents are reporting an increase in crime. On several occasions, the community has taken matters into their own hands, highlighting the risks associated with these acts of street justice.
Until now, the PNR has not issued any official statements regarding the case. However, the incident has reignited the debate about the increasing insecurity on the island and the impunity with which some criminals operate.
A recent case occurred on Garzón Avenue, near the Espino Fernández secondary school, where an individual was caught stealing a cell phone and other belongings. Initially detained by passersby, he managed to escape, but was again intercepted by the crowd in the vicinity of Ferreiro, where he was beaten before the police arrived.
Another notable incident took place at the intersection of Enramadas and Alameda streets during a street festival. A suspected thief was caught attempting to steal a phone and, without waiting for the authorities to intervene, was apprehended and beaten by a crowd of young people before being removed from the area.
Additionally, in the Pastorita neighborhood, the neighbors captured a man who had allegedly snatched a phone from someone. Outraged by the incident, they beat him before handing him over to the police, expressing their disapproval of crime in their community.
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