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A young man who snatched a cellphone from a man in downtown Santiago de Cuba and tried to flee was captured on Thursday by local residents and subsequently arrested by a police officer.
The robbery occurred in Santo Tomás, between San Ricardo and Santa Isabel, reported the communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on his Facebook profile, where he posted photos of the alleged thief.
According to the report, witnesses of the incident stated that the individual was initially caught at the intersection of Corona and San Ricardo, where he was attacked by several people, who then "attempted to help him escape."
The tension at the scene escalated, and when the supposed criminal attempted to flee, a motorcycle officer arrived and, "with the support of the neighbors, they managed to subdue and apprehend him finally in Rastro, between San Ricardo and Santa Isabel," Mayeta specified.
"This incident reflects the growing discomfort among citizens in Santiago de Cuba regarding the wave of assaults and thefts, where people feel compelled to take action to defend themselves against insecurity," the communicator noted in their statement.
The name of the detainee has not been disclosed so far.
The thefts and assaults have become a common issue across the country, according to reports emerging on social media.
Just a week ago, a similar incident occurred in the very capital of Santiago, where residents of the Escario neighborhood caught a phone snatcher right in the street. The thief was identified as Alexander and has an extensive criminal record, several people claimed.
In the municipality of Las Tunas, in the corresponding province, two individuals were apprehended after robbing a home. The men made several trips in a horse-drawn carriage to take almost all the belongings from the property.
In many cases, criminals resort to physical violence and murder to achieve their objectives. This appears to have been the motive behind the recent murder of a father and his son, on a farm in the municipality of Candelaria, in Artemisa. The main suspect in the crime remains at large, although an official statement published by the portal Cubadebate indicated that “several individuals are believed to be involved.”
While the authorities of the Cuban regime insist that crime is on the decline, the data shows the contrary. Between January and June 2025, the Observatorio Cubano de Auditoría Ciudadana (OCAC) documented 1,319 crimes, including 63 murders and 721 robberies, figures that demonstrate the deterioration of Cuban society.
Frequently Asked Questions about Insecurity and Citizen Justice in Santiago de Cuba
What recently happened with an alleged thief in Santiago de Cuba?
A young man was captured by neighbors after snatching a cellphone in downtown Santiago de Cuba. He was initially beaten by those present and later detained with the help of a motorcycle police officer. This incident reflects the growing citizens' unrest regarding insecurity in the city.
How is the population responding to crime in Santiago de Cuba?
Citizens have started to take justice into their own hands due to the ineffectiveness of the authorities. Neighbors have captured and physically subdued alleged criminals in several instances, reflecting a growing desperation over the lack of security.
What is the citizens' perception of safety in Santiago de Cuba?
Residents of Santiago de Cuba perceive a growing insecurity and concerning impunity in the city. The frequency of robberies and assaults is increasing, which has prompted the population to take matters into their own hands due to the lack of police response.
What do the statistics say about crime in Cuba this year?
According to the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Auditing, between January and June 2025, 1,319 crimes were documented in Cuba, including 63 murders and 721 thefts. These figures indicate a deterioration of the Cuban social fabric and contradict the regime's claims that crime is on the decline.
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