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A resident of the Havana neighborhood of Luyanó alerted this Friday about a new technique that thieves are using to break into homes, which involves drilling the door with precise measurements and inserting a metal object to disengage the latch from the outside without a key.
The report, posted by the citizen Yarian Manzano on his Facebook profile, describes the attempted robbery in the building known as El Driver, located at the beginning of Luyanó between Fábrica and Justicia streets.
"They tear and drill through the door of your house, and once the hole is made, they insert a tool to push the Yale lock’s trigger and open the door from the outside," explained Manzano, who emphasized that the criminals "are professionals" and "create the hole to exact measurements so that it fits perfectly at the bottom."
The attempt was thwarted thanks to additional security measures at the residence. "Thank God they couldn't get in since we have good security, but no one knows what could happen if they enter while we're awake. Lock up even during the day," the complainant warned.
The citizens' reaction in the comments reflects a mix of wit and resignation. One neighbor suggested installing three locks: one at the top, one in the middle, and another at the bottom.
Another recounted that he hangs metal jars behind each door as a homemade alarm system: "the noise and the commotion can be heard on Mars."
Indignation is directed squarely at impunity. "When the population catches a thief, they hand them over to the police, and they are released. According to the police, you have to go to the station to file a report. Absurd, what more evidence of a crime is there than the act itself," wrote a citizen.
Another commentator was more direct: "They have impunity, which is why they become more creative every day."
The incident occurs amidst a documented surge in criminal activity in Vedado during the first week of June, with over 30 recorded robberies in homes in just seven days in that neighborhood.
This Saturday, two thieves stole the cell phones of two neighbors on 6th Street in Vedado while they were cooking and doing laundry, taking advantage of a brief period with electricity and water.
On Thursday, neighbors captured a thief who had smeared grease on his body to hinder his arrest, and on Friday a woman was found dead with four stab wounds in the park at 23 and Avenida Paseo, in Vedado, which shocked the neighborhood.
In Mantilla, also this Saturday, an elderly man was assaulted; his backpack was violently snatched, and he ended up with a scraped elbow.
In light of institutional inaction, the people of Havana are organizing night watch groups and turning to Facebook as their main channel for community alerts.
It is estimated that around 20% of the personnel of the Revolutionary National Police has left the force, which exacerbates their response capacity.
The Cuban Observatory for Citizens’ Audits recorded 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a 115% increase compared to 2024, with over 1,500 cases of theft being the most common category, a trend that shows no signs of reversing in 2026.
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