In a dramatic turn of events, a suspected thief attempting a daytime robbery in the Modelo neighborhood of Camagüey was thwarted by none other than the elderly homeowner, who, despite relying on crutches, managed to detain the intruder until neighbors arrived to restrain him.
The incident was captured and shared on social media by content creator Ariadna Borges, who expressed her outrage over the brazen act.
"This man brazenly entered a home in broad daylight, precisely at noon, to steal, only to be caught by the homeowner, an older gentleman who even uses crutches," Borges recounted.
According to Borges' account, the elderly man held onto the thief and began shouting for help, prompting neighbors to rush over and tie up the suspect until law enforcement arrived.
Borges did not hold back her frustration at the audacity of the criminal. "These individuals come ready to harm anyone for any valuable they can sell," she criticized.
She further commented, "They no longer care whether it's night or day. Nothing matters to them anymore."
The video comments reveal a growing public disillusionment with the justice system. Tomas J. Betancourt cynically predicted the suspect would be released in two days, "protected by the local sector chief," while Chikita Morales noted, "He might face six months to a year in prison, if that, which is why they keep doing it. As long as you don't steal from the state, everything is fine here."
Similarly, Niuris Ramírez Mustelier warned, "They'll just fine him and let him back out to continue stealing."
Public Reaction to Crime and Justice
Not all comments were critical of the system. Willin Salgado Urquiza praised the idea of publicizing these incidents that have such a significant impact. "Justice should be served, and this man should be properly prosecuted," he urged.
The perception of impunity remains a common theme among citizens taking action against crime. Alberto Peralta summed it up in the video comments, "Now ask how much time the tribunal will give him, and you'll be amazed."
This Camagüey incident is just one in a series of citizen arrests occurring across the island. Last Thursday, residents in Vedado apprehended a man stealing container wheels in broad daylight in Havana.
Back in April, locals in the La Ceiba neighborhood of Playa detained a habitual thief on a tricycle until police arrived. Similarly, residents in Santiago de Cuba captured a suspected member of the Matotones de Canasí gang after more than 20 complaints went unanswered by authorities, while Cienfuegos neighbors caught a thief in the La Gloria district early one morning.
Crime Surge Linked to Economic and Social Issues
This pattern reflects an unprecedented crime wave. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory documented 2,833 verified crimes in Cuba during 2025, marking a 115% increase from 2024 and a staggering 337% rise compared to 2023.
Theft was the most common crime, with 1,536 reported cases, a 479% surge since 2023.
Two main factors are driving this trend: a worsening economic crisis, exacerbated by the crime increase (with GDP shrinking by 5% in 2025, accumulating a 15% decline since 2020), and the weakening of the Police National Revolutionary (PNR), which reportedly lost around 20% of its personnel due to low wages.
Understanding the Rise in Crime in Cuba
Why is there an increase in crime in Cuba?
The spike in crime is largely attributed to Cuba's deepening economic crisis and the weakened state of the PNR, which has seen a significant reduction in its workforce due to low salaries.
What are common crimes reported in Cuba?
Theft is the most reported crime in Cuba, with a significant increase in cases over recent years.