A Cuban woman living in Lehigh Acres, Florida, took to TikTok to report a shocking theft: two fruit trees, a mango and an avocado, which she and her husband had planted, were stolen from their property. The incident happened while they were away, but they managed to save a guava tree by bringing it indoors just in time. "I didn't give the person a chance to steal the guava tree because I brought it inside since my house is on a corner," the woman, visibly upset, explained. "My husband planted the guava, mango, and avocado, and they were waiting for us to leave the house to take the mango and avocado trees," she added.
Identified as @bvguerra99 on TikTok, the woman expressed her disbelief and frustration, stating that not even in Cuba's roughest neighborhoods had she witnessed such an act. "People would steal the mangos, yes, but an entire mango plant... I never heard of that," she remarked in the video, which quickly went viral.
In the comments section, she clarified that the trees were uprooted, and the culprits even covered the holes in the ground to avoid leaving evidence. "They didn’t take the guava because we brought it inside," she replied to a user questioning the account.
The woman assured that she does not suspect her neighbors, whom she describes as peaceful and respectful. Instead, she believes the theft was committed by someone passing through the area. "When we moved here, it was much quieter. But now, we're seeing the same things they did in Cuba... it's like they brought it from Miami," she opined.
The case sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok, especially from other Cubans living in Florida. Many shared similar experiences, while others joked about the absurdity of the situation. Comments like "Lehigh is the new Hialeah," "Miami 2.0," and "Put an alarm on the guava tree" were frequently repeated.
Others shared comparable tales: a woman who lost her acerola tree in Cuba, and another who returned to his home in Tampa to find his sugarcane stolen. "It's unbelievable," insisted the video creator, astounded by the number of similar stories.
Despite the ordeal, the Cuban woman proudly showed that her guava tree is still thriving and bearing fruit. "They're growing and are delicious," she said. Meanwhile, she has installed security cameras at her house, hoping to prevent future incidents. "People have no shame," she concluded.
FAQs about Fruit Tree Theft in Florida
Why did the woman believe the theft was from someone passing by?
She believes it was a passerby because she trusts her neighbors, describing them as peaceful and respectful, unlike the theft incident.
What measures did the woman take to prevent future thefts?
She installed security cameras around her property to deter any future incidents of theft.
How did the community respond to the incident?
The TikTok video received numerous reactions, with other Cubans sharing similar experiences and some joking about the unusual situation.