In the Havana municipality of Guanabacoa, a group of local residents apprehended a man suspected of attempting to steal animals from a farm amidst a blackout.
The incident was highlighted in the Facebook group "Everything for Sale in Guanabacoa" by user Juana Hidalgo Gatto, who shared a video capturing the moment of the arrest.
"We caught him just now. He thought he could get away with it on my farm," the woman can be heard saying in the video, which shows the alleged thief sitting on the ground with his hands bound.
Filmed at night, the video features the man—visibly anxious—claiming he doesn't steal from anyone, even though the accuser insists he was caught in her yard trying to take a ram.
"He tried to take one of my lambs, but thanks to the Sector Chief, who I called quickly and came, we managed to catch him," added Hidalgo Gatto.
The incident reportedly occurred during a power outage in the Debeche Nalón area in the early hours of January 18. Neighbors praised the swift response of the woman and the police officer, though some users cautioned about the dangers of confronting alleged criminals directly.
The video has garnered thousands of views and comments on Facebook, amid a rising wave of community reports about thefts in rural and semi-urban areas of Havana, particularly during nighttime blackouts.
Community Safety and Theft in Havana
What happened during the attempted theft in Guanabacoa?
A suspected thief was caught by local residents trying to steal animals from a farm during a blackout. The quick intervention of Juana Hidalgo Gatto and the Sector Chief led to the suspect's capture.
Why are thefts increasing in Havana's rural areas?
There is a growing trend of thefts in Havana's rural and semi-urban areas, often occurring during power outages, which provide cover for these criminal activities.
How did the community react to the incident?
The community praised the quick response by the woman and the police, although some expressed concerns about the risks involved in confronting suspects.