The Cuban police have announced the resolution of a forceful theft involving an electric tricycle in the San Miguel del Padrón area of Havana, following the recovery of the vehicle and the apprehension of a suspect.
In a statement posted on their Facebook page "Héroes de azul en Cuba," the Policía Nacional Revolucionaria (PNR) confirmed the capture of an individual found in possession of the stolen tricycle.
The official report detailed that the incident took place in the Popular Council of Jacomino, though the exact date remains unspecified. Intruders reportedly broke the lock of a garage door to steal the gray, unregistered electric tricycle.
The owner identified the vehicle after seeing a sales advertisement on social media, which led to the authorities being tipped off about the stolen property’s location.
"Thanks to a Facebook post advertising the sale of an electric tricycle, the victim was able to identify the vehicle that had been stolen," stated the PNR.
Acting on this information, law enforcement officers tracked down and arrested a suspect while recovering the tricycle, which has since been returned to its rightful owner. The investigation into the theft is ongoing.
Continuing Efforts to Combat Theft
The police in San Miguel del Padrón are reportedly conducting a "vigorous campaign to solve crimes through systematic information gathering," according to their statement.
This theft follows a common pattern in Cuba, where stolen vehicles are often hastily listed for resale on Facebook groups. This practice sometimes enables victims to locate their missing property and notify the authorities or the community.
This particular incident ended positively compared to other cases with tragic outcomes. For instance, on April 15, in Cienfuegos, Adonis Fuentes González was fatally attacked with knives while parking his electric tricycle; the assailants made off with the battery and charger.
Recently, Yudier Castellano was apprehended as a suspect in a crime in Cárdenas, Matanzas, where another vehicle was stolen from the victim.
Additionally, Dayan Sotolongo, a young man from Centro Habana with disabilities, reported the theft of his four-wheeled electric scooter, customized for those with physical impairments.
This month also saw reports of a large-scale theft of electric tricycles during a blackout at a building in Havana's Casino Deportivo area.
Rising Incidence of Electric Vehicle Theft
The theft of electric vehicles has surged in Cuba in recent years, driven by a severe economic and energy crisis that has increased the value of these modes of transportation.
The independent Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory documented 2,833 verified crimes in Cuba in 2025, representing a 115% increase from 2024 and a staggering 337% rise compared to 2023, with thefts being the most common crime at 1,536 cases—a 479% jump since 2023.
Understanding the Rise in Electric Tricycle Thefts in Cuba
Why are electric tricycles targeted for theft in Cuba?
Electric tricycles are highly sought after due to the economic and energy crisis in Cuba, making them valuable for both personal use and resale.
How are stolen electric vehicles typically resold?
Stolen electric vehicles are commonly resold quickly via social media platforms, particularly in Facebook groups, which can sometimes help victims identify and recover their stolen property.
What measures are being taken to address vehicle theft in Cuba?
Cuban authorities are intensifying their efforts to solve crimes through systematic information collection and community engagement to prevent and address thefts.