A suspected thief was apprehended by residents of the Micro 1B neighborhood, in the Abel Santamaría district, known as El Salao, in Santiago de Cuba, after being caught attempting to enter a home in the community.
According to reports from independent communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, the individual was discovered by the property owners and immediately detained by several local youths, who managed to prevent his escape and kept him tied up until the arrival of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR).
In images shared by the reporter, the alleged thief can be seen lying on the ground, showing signs of having been beaten, while being watched over by neighbors and later handed over to PNR officers who arrived on the scene to formalize the arrest. In another video published by Mayeta Labrada, the moment when the police take him away in custody is captured.
Witnesses cited by the communicator indicated that the man was tied to a perimeter gate while they waited for the authorities. A neighbor explained that “the neighborhood was on edge until the patrol arrived,” and expressed concern about the possibility that the detainee might be released soon, as—according to them—has happened in previous cases.
In the comments on the video and the posts, most internet users expressed support for the neighbors and agreed on the need to denounce the rise in crime. "There is no life, peace, or tranquility, and there are certainly no laws to calm or eliminate such crime in this country," wrote one user, while another stated that "criminals today are the ones who own the streets of Cuba."
The messages reflect a widespread feeling of distrust towards the PNR and the judicial system, which many accuse of releasing criminals just hours after their arrest. Other comments express regret that citizens feel compelled to take action on their own due to the lack of response from the authorities.
This new episode adds to other recent instances of community justice in the eastern part of the country. Last September, several residents captured an alleged thief following a chase in the heart of Santiago de Cuba. Weeks later, another attempted robbery in the same city led to a near-lynching that was contained by the residents themselves before the Police arrived.
In Pinar del Río, the authorities also announced the capture of a thief of electric tricycles, in a case where official propaganda attempted to showcase police effectiveness despite citizens' complaints about the rise in thefts and the lack of control.
These incidents reflect an increasingly common pattern: communities that, due to a lack of trust in institutions, choose to take matters into their own hands to protect their homes and property. The community of El Salao continues to await the case to be processed in accordance with the law.
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