A doctor from Santiago de Cuba identified as Yaniel Rivera Boza, whose cellphone was snatched by a young man, chased the thief through several streets until he managed to catch up with him and recover his phone, with the help of neighbors who responded to his cries for help.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night on Celda Street, as reported on Facebook by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
According to the account, Rivera Boza, known in the neighborhood as "Boza," has a habit of extending an electrical cord from his home so that his neighbors can charge their phones, fans, and other devices during frequent blackouts. He even maintains outdoor lighting to benefit those living in the area.
It was precisely in that atmosphere of trust and neighborhood solidarity where the robbery occurred. At first, the doctor thought it was a joke, but when he saw the young man quickly moving towards the corner, he realized what was happening and ran out to chase him.
The chase extended through several streets: the individual attempted to flee from the Celda area to Trocha and then ventured into Pizarro, while Rivera Boza shouted for help.
"The calls mobilized residents of the neighborhood, who joined the pursuit until they managed to intercept the young man and recover the phone. (...) Two people reportedly participated in the robbery, although only one could be captured. The second alleged accomplice managed to escape," stated Mayeta Labrada.
In a second post, the journalist identified the detainee as V. M., after receiving information from several individuals who recognized him in the images shared.
According to consulted sources, M. is said to have resided for a time in Matanzas before recently returning to her hometown of Santiago de Cuba.
For his part, Rivera Boza formally filed the complaint with the police. The doctor chose not to make any public statements.
The incident occurs amidst multiple citizen reports of violent robberies in Santiago de Cuba. Earlier this month, residents of the Trocha and Gasómetro areas warned of a wave of nighttime assaults that kept those traveling through those streets of the city on edge.
In many cases, it is the neighbors themselves who must catch the thieves, due to the limited police response to the rise in crime. This week, several people detained a man who snatched a cell phone from a university student in Palma Soriano and recovered the device before the arrival of the police.
According to the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC), the crime rate increased unprecedentedly in Cuba during 2025: 2,833 verified crimes were recorded across the Island, marking a 115% increase compared to 2024 and a 337% increase compared to 2023. The predominant crime was theft, with 1,536 cases.
Santiago de Cuba was the fourth most affected province, with 323 verified cases.
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