A Havana store known as Reynashop has publicly exposed via social media three women caught by security cameras using an unusual tactic to steal merchandise. The video, shared on Facebook with the caption "Thieves in Havana Stores," shows the women repeatedly entering and exiting the store, pretending to be waiting for someone or having forgotten something. During these moments, they discreetly hide items under their dresses.
The footage also reveals how the women coordinate their actions, forming a "human curtain" that allows one of them to conceal clothing beneath her garments without being noticed. "Help us spread the word to see if anyone recognizes them," the store urged in their post.
This incident has sparked reactions from other affected businesses. In the comments section, a Facebook profile named Ruano Surl, identified as a Cuban private sector company involved in wholesale food production and sales, claimed that the same women had stolen from their market days earlier. "These ladies are the same ones who stole from our market. There are three of them, accompanied by a man in a red car who picks them up after they leave. They took six bottles of whiskey," they reported.
The message was accompanied by a security video still showing the suspects in action. Additionally, they added, "These are the same ones; they took over $400 worth of items from us, leaving the store three times. We need to post and repost so they can't steal anymore." Another user, Isa Mier, commented, "But report them; I work in a store and experienced this with another gang of thieves. We caught one, and when we called the police, they had so many complaints that they went straight to jail."
Ivis Rosales highlighted, "I think these are the same women seen in a video from a food market. They were stuffing what they took under their dresses." Shoplifting in Cuban stores is becoming increasingly common as the economic crisis deepens. In March, a couple was captured by security cameras stealing a wallet in a Havana café.
The incident was reported in the Facebook group "La Puntilla, store in MLC" by user Mayito Pérez, who shared details of the event along with footage obtained from the location. "This couple stole a wallet from a café in Havana in the morning. The surveillance camera footage from various angles shows the woman encouraging her partner to commit the act," Pérez reported in the post.
Also in March, a video of a man shoplifting in a Havana store went viral on social media, causing outrage among users. The images, captured by a security camera, show a man wearing a beige shirt and sunglasses hanging from his neck inside a store.
In January, a Cuban man was caught on a surveillance camera stealing from a business in El Vedado, as reported by a user in the Facebook group Revolico Habana. The post warned of the man's dangerousness, noting he has been seen stealing on other occasions, and urged other businesses to remain vigilant.
Common Shoplifting Tactics in Havana
How do the shoplifters manage to steal without being noticed?
The shoplifters use coordinated tactics such as forming a "human curtain" to distract and conceal their actions, allowing one of them to hide items under their clothing undetected.
What impact has this theft had on other businesses?
The thefts have caused other businesses to become more vigilant, sharing experiences and warnings on social media to prevent further incidents.
What actions are being suggested to combat these crimes?
Businesses are encouraged to report incidents to authorities and share information widely on social media to alert others and identify suspects.