A young man identified as Edrey Copello, aged 26 and residing on Calle 12 in Chicharrones, was apprehended by locals from the Reparto Sueño neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba this Monday. He was allegedly attempting to snatch belongings from someone in broad daylight.
The incident was reported by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on his Facebook page, where he provided details of the event that took place on Calle 2da, between Garzón and K. He also questioned the rising crime rate in the city.
Witnesses claim that Copello is notorious in the area for previous thefts. "That guy has been stealing in his own neighborhood, people have him marked," stated a resident quoted by the journalist. This time, several locals intervened, subdued him, and tied him up to prevent his escape, marking another act of desperation in response to the growing insecurity where citizens feel compelled to take justice into their own hands.
Community's Response to Rising Crime
Copello was later taken away by a motorized patrol, Mayeta emphasized, noting that this is not an isolated case but rather a reflection of a desperate community facing a lack of security. "People no longer wait for anyone because they know no one will come to save them," he wrote. He concluded his post with a question that encapsulates the tension in the city’s neighborhoods: "How long will Santiago's neighborhoods have to take justice into their own hands?"
This incident adds to another violent event recently reported in Santiago de Cuba, where journalist and Doctor of Science Enrique Pérez Fumero, an employee at the official CMKC station, was brutally attacked during a robbery in the early hours of Sunday. The assault occurred at the intersection of Barnada and San Mateo, right in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba, just a few blocks from the Moncada Barracks, a symbol of the official narrative.
A Pattern of Vigilante Justice
The victim is currently hospitalized in the Neuro-surgery ward of Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital, suffering from a fractured skull base and multiple facial fractures.
The capture of Copello by Reparto Sueño residents is just one of several instances of vigilante justice becoming common in Santiago de Cuba. In May, several townspeople detained a thief in the city center, immobilizing him while waiting for authorities, amidst applause from onlookers. Just days prior, a thief was caught inside a home by its residents, who prevented his escape after catching him red-handed. Images of the incident widely circulated on social media.
Similar cases have occurred in recent weeks: a young thief was subdued by locals after attempting to snatch a purse from a woman, while in February, another individual was cornered and neutralized by neighborhood residents, fed up with the constant thefts. This pattern of citizen response has been repeating since last year when neighbors tied up a suspected thief after a chase, leaving him immobilized until police arrived. Months later, a crowd beat and handed over another criminal after accusing him of violent robbery. These events reflect a collective frustration and growing distrust in the authorities' ability to protect citizens.
Understanding the Rise of Vigilante Actions in Santiago de Cuba
What led to the residents capturing Edrey Copello?
Edrey Copello was allegedly caught attempting to steal from someone in public, prompting residents who recognized him from previous thefts to take action and prevent his escape.
Why are citizens in Santiago de Cuba resorting to vigilante justice?
The increase in crime and the perceived lack of effective response from authorities have led citizens to take matters into their own hands, driven by desperation and a need for immediate action.
What was the outcome for Enrique Pérez Fumero following the attack?
Enrique Pérez Fumero is hospitalized with significant injuries, including a fractured skull base and multiple facial fractures, following the assault during a robbery in Santiago de Cuba.