In the city of Sancti Spíritus, five teenagers aged between 16 and 18 have been apprehended due to their alleged involvement in a forceful burglary at the La Vizcaína store during the early hours of December 21, as reported by the Ministry of the Interior (Minint).
According to Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Rodríguez Carmenate, head of the criminal investigation unit of the Minint in the province, the incident took place around 4:00 a.m. The perpetrators shattered the glass of an exterior display window to gain entry into the commercial premises, as he disclosed to Radio Sancti Spíritus.
Following the store director's report of the burglary, a multidisciplinary team from the Minint, including the Provincial Operative Guard, was assembled to commence the investigation, detailed the officer.
Investigators, upon arriving at the crime scene, confirmed the glass window's breakage. Inside, they found a chaotic arrangement of products and noted the theft of household appliances and clothing from the area leased by the small private business La Vida, which operates within the store.
Rodríguez Carmenate highlighted that, through specialized forensic techniques and public cooperation, police managed to arrest four suspected thieves and a fifth individual accused of receiving the stolen goods. The authorities succeeded in recovering the appliances and some clothing items, he confirmed.
According to the official account, the accused confessed to the burglary during interrogations, revealing they had used two concrete fragments found on-site to break the window. They admitted selling the stolen items at dawn, splitting the proceeds among themselves.
"Regrettably, the perpetrators were between 16 and 18 years of age, acting in concert as they returned from festive areas to their homes," stated the head of the criminal investigation unit.
The five individuals remain in custody at the Provincial Criminal Investigation Unit and are facing charges of forceful theft. The prosecution is expected to request a preventive custody order from the Prosecutor's Office.
Rodríguez Carmenate assured that, given the suspects' ages, strict adherence to legal procedural guarantees is being observed. Throughout the process, parental or legal guardian involvement, as well as participation from the Prosecutor's Office and defense attorneys, has been ensured.
Crime has surged significantly in Sancti Spíritus and across Cuba, creating an atmosphere of insecurity characterized by thefts, assaults, and violence. This rise in criminal activity is linked to the economic crisis and the lack of effective control by authorities, which has undermined public safety and fostered a sense of impunity.
Understanding Crime in Sancti Spíritus
What led to the arrest of the teenagers involved in the Sancti Spíritus store burglary?
The arrest was a result of a detailed investigation by the criminal investigation unit of the Minint, which utilized forensic techniques and received assistance from the public to identify and apprehend the suspects.
How has crime affected the community of Sancti Spíritus?
Crime has increased significantly, creating a climate of insecurity marked by thefts, assaults, and violence. This situation is exacerbated by the economic crisis and insufficient control by authorities, leading to a perception of impunity and weakened public safety.