A man was caught red-handed by residents in the Vedado area on May 3rd as he tried to steal wheels from trash bins located at the intersection of Jovellar and L and M streets. The community apprehended him and handed him over to the National Revolutionary Police (PNR).
The incident took place around noon and was documented on Facebook with photos by Pedro Lizardo Garces Escalona, a delegate of District 6 in the Popular Council Rampa, located in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality of Havana.
According to the report shared on social media, the suspect was taken to the PNR station located at Zapata and C. During his capture, the thief pleaded not to be filmed, a detail that became a focal point of the incident's narrative.
Widespread Vandalism
The vandalism extended beyond this specific location. The community group "Gente de Barrio" reported that similar thefts had occurred at trash bins on Jovellar between Infanta and N, as well as those at 27 and N.
The group warned that 24 new containers had recently been installed at various points in the Popular Council, with several already targeted by thieves.
“We expect a thorough investigation from the police authorities to clarify the reported incidents,” demanded the residents in their post.
Ongoing Crisis and Public Response
The theft of wheels and metal parts from garbage containers is a chronic issue documented across Cuba, where stolen materials are either sold on the black market or reused privately, exacerbating the already failing waste management system.
In Havana, the garbage crisis has worsened due to fuel shortages and breakdowns of collection trucks. In 2025, the capital produced 1.8 million tons of solid waste, yet only 65% was collected due to a shortfall of more than 150 compactor trucks, according to data presented to the National Assembly.
Vedado has frequently been the scene of such citizen arrests. In October 2024, locals detained a mugger outside the Hotel Vedado who was snatching belongings in broad daylight. That same month, another man was caught stealing an electric scooter from a neighborhood home.
In June 2023, residents apprehended a cellphone thief on 23rd Street between E and F, carrying a backpack full of stolen items. This practice of capturing criminals and turning them over to the PNR has become increasingly common in Havana, fueled by a sense of impunity and slow police response.
A Nationwide Issue
The problem of vandalism targeting public infrastructure is not unique to the capital: trash bins have been set on fire in Holguín and other Cuban cities, signaling the collapse of basic services after decades of dictatorship.
"In Rampa, keep your hands to yourself or face the rooster!" concluded "Gente de Barrio" in their post, echoing a popular warning to neighborhood thieves.
Understanding the Garbage Crisis in Cuba
Why are trash bin parts being stolen in Cuba?
The theft of trash bin parts is driven by the black market demand for metal, where these parts are sold or reused privately, worsening the waste management crisis.
What impact does this theft have on Havana's waste management?
The theft exacerbates the waste management issue by removing essential components of trash bins, leading to decreased efficiency in garbage collection, especially amidst an existing shortage of collection trucks.
How are residents responding to crime in Vedado?
Residents have taken to apprehending criminals themselves due to perceived impunity and slow police responses, handing them over to the authorities.