Yoe Labrada took to the Facebook group Revolico Tunas.Buena Vista Jose on Wednesday to report a harrowing armed robbery in the bustling heart of Las Tunas. A man brandishing a knife forcefully seized Labrada's moped, threatening him with a stabbing if he resisted.
The incident occurred around 1:00 pm on a busy weekday afternoon, at the intersection of Jesús Argüelles and José Mastrapa streets, a well-trafficked area in the provincial capital.
"Today, I was robbed at the back of Jesús Argüelles street near José Mastrapa, at 1 pm in broad daylight. This thug pulled out a knife and snatched my moped, threatening to stab me if I didn’t let go," Labrada recounted in his post.
The victim explained that the assailant used a ruse to get close: "He pretended to be from Manatí, claiming he was interested in buying a moped," a ploy that allowed him to gain Labrada’s trust before revealing the weapon.
Labrada described the thief as a medium-built, mulatto man, wearing a black hoodie and carrying a small brown bag.
The stolen moped is a metallic blue electric bike, brand KUKI/BWAY, which appeared almost new—the protective plastic still covered the seat. It was equipped with circular mirrors, a front wire basket, and disc brakes.
Labrada is confident he could identify the attacker: "I got a good look at his face; I’d recognize him anywhere," he asserted, offering a reward for information about the vehicle or the perpetrator.
He also warned the community about the criminal gang’s reach: "Beware of these freeloaders who don’t work and go around robbing people; there are two or three of them involved."
This case adds to a documented surge in armed robberies causing concern in Las Tunas, a province notably plagued by crime in Cuba.
According to the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit (OCAC), in the first half of 2025, the province recorded 101 theft cases, ranking second in the nation, just behind Matanzas.
In 2024, Las Tunas saw a 1% increase in criminal incidents over the previous year, with the capital accounting for 40% of the province's crimes.
The method of the robbery reported by Labrada—using a knife, feigning interest as a buyer, and acting in a group—mirrors similar cases in other provinces. For instance, a young motorcyclist in Las Tunas was ambushed in May 2025 with stones and chased with a knife to steal his motorcycle, and in January 2024, a Cuban man was killed in Havana for his electric motorcycle.
Faced with perceived inaction from authorities, victims increasingly turn to social media to report incidents and alert their communities, a practice that has become widespread across the island since electric bike owners began organizing to report thefts and robberies at the end of 2021.
Understanding Crime Trends in Las Tunas
What are the common tactics used in robberies in Las Tunas?
Robbers often use deception, such as pretending to be potential buyers, to get close to their victims before threatening them with weapons like knives. They frequently operate in groups to overwhelm the target.
How have local residents responded to the rise in crime?
Residents, feeling unsupported by the authorities, have turned to social media platforms to report crimes and warn others, helping to create a community-driven alert system.
What measures are being taken to combat theft in Las Tunas?
While the authorities' response has been criticized, community vigilance and social media reporting have become key strategies in combating theft and raising awareness of criminal activity.