A security camera recorded a motorcyclist brazenly snatching a necklace in the middle of a street in Havana, an incident that was brought to light on social media by Facebook user Catherine Acosta Martínez. According to the victim's account, the robbery took place around 5 p.m. on Thursday when the perpetrator approached her, grabbed her neck, and threatened her with a knife to seize the gold chain she was wearing. After the theft, the assailant fled on a blue motorcycle heading toward Juan Delgado Avenue.
In her post, Acosta Martínez mentioned that after reviewing the area's surveillance footage, they noticed the suspect had been loitering in the vicinity, seemingly waiting for an opportunity to strike. As part of her complaint, the victim shared several stills showing the individual on the motorcycle, presumably before and after the robbery. In the comments, user Leslie Morales Cera claimed that the same suspect targeted her as well.
"He snatched two chains from me at 54 and 31 on Tuesday, September 2, at 4 p.m. I reported it and took the footage to the Playa station on 110 and 3rd," the user stated, sharing a video that captured the alleged incident. Acosta Martínez appealed for public assistance in identifying the culprit, offering a reward of 20,000 Cuban pesos for any information leading to his whereabouts. She also provided contact numbers for tips: 53 247783, 58 276088, and 58 241535.
The incident has sparked outrage among social media users, who are highlighting a rise in such crimes in the capital and demanding increased police presence on the streets. As of now, there has been no official statement from the authorities on whether an investigation has been launched, although the shared footage could be crucial in tracking down the thief.
A Surge in Street Thefts Across Cuba
The reported incident in Havana is not an isolated case. Over the recent years, there has been a surge in violent street robberies across the island, particularly involving the theft of necklaces and phones, often occurring in broad daylight in busy areas.
In Santiago de Cuba, residents of the Escario neighborhood recently apprehended a repeat offender known for snatching phones on Garzón Avenue. The man, identified as Alexander, was handed over to the police, although the community alleges he has been released quickly on previous occasions, fueling perceptions of complicity and impunity.
Just days earlier, a medical student was robbed at the Calle 4 terminal by an armed individual, with none of the bystanders intervening to assist her. Similar incidents have happened in Holguín, where locals subdued a thief attempting to snatch an elderly woman's necklace in public.
In Havana, several events have been recorded: from a man who snatched a necklace from a child in Plaza de la Revolución and, according to witnesses, swallowed it to hide the evidence, to thwarted robbery attempts on public transport and in peripheral neighborhoods, where residents took matters into their own hands before the police arrived.
These occurrences reveal a troubling pattern: the increasing boldness of criminals in the face of apparent inaction by the authorities. In most cases, apprehensions are not made by the National Revolutionary Police but by direct community intervention, resorting to vigilante justice due to the lack of effective state responses.
The recurrence of these events across various provinces underscores the deterioration of public safety in Cuba and the growing mistrust in the institutions tasked with maintaining order.
Addressing Rising Theft Concerns in Cuba
What measures are being taken to address the rise in street thefts in Cuba?
Currently, there is a significant call from the public for increased police presence and more effective action from authorities. However, many incidents are being dealt with through community intervention due to perceived inaction from official channels.
How are residents responding to the wave of robberies?
In many cases, local communities are taking matters into their own hands, apprehending suspects themselves and exhibiting a level of vigilance due to the lack of trust in the police force's response.
Has there been any official response from Cuban authorities?
As of now, there has been no clear indication of an official investigation being launched, although the public is hopeful that the shared video evidence will prompt action.