Camagüey Police Stage Public Event to Return Stolen Electric Scooter Taken in Armed Robbery

The Revolutionary National Police (PNR) of Camagüey recently orchestrated a public event titled "Return of Property Ceremony" to hand back an electric scooter to its rightful owner. This scooter had been stolen at knifepoint by two assailants near the bustling Plaza de la Revolución Mayor General Ignacio Agramonte, located in the heart of the city.

This event, widely shared on social media, follows the pattern set by the PNR and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) in recent months to showcase the recovery of stolen goods. These events typically feature a gathering of uniformed officers and local residents, a public address, the formal return of the item to its owner, and subsequent dissemination of the event's details.

According to a Facebook post by Camagüey Television reporter Luis Naranjo, the owner was confronted in broad daylight by two individuals wielding knives, compelling him to surrender his scooter.

The post indicates that police action led to the vehicle's recovery just hours after the robbery occurred.

High-Value Electric Scooter Recovered

The scooter in question is a black Bucatti with red accents, powered by a lithium battery. In Cuba's current market, these scooters can be priced between $2,000 and $3,000, contingent upon the model and the seller—prices that are quite steep in a country where most workers are paid in Cuban pesos, which have significantly devalued.

Images from the event depict uniformed officers, a MININT representative, and several civilians gathered in an outdoor area of a Camagüey neighborhood. A woman addresses the crowd via a microphone, after which the owner is seen standing next to his recovered scooter. A Cuban flag adds to the backdrop of the ceremony.

The report also utilized typical institutional language, stating that the event included a condemnation of "any acts of vandalism in our society," and framed the recovery as the product of collaboration between the police and "the people."

Public Ceremonies: A Trend in Cuba

Transforming the return of stolen property into public ceremonies has become a common practice in 2026. Similar events have been documented in Cienfuegos, Isla de la Juventud, and Matanzas, all featuring uniformed officers, community members, speeches, the handover of recovered items, and wide circulation on social media.

Beyond the scooter's recovery, the incident in Camagüey highlights a growing concern for many Cubans: the increase in violent robberies targeting scooters and other high-value electric vehicles, which are hard to replace given the current economic conditions on the island.

Notably, this robbery occurred in a central, often crowded area near the Plaza de la Revolución, suggesting a boldness on the part of the assailants.

Rising Knife-Related Assaults in Camagüey

Camagüey has seen several violent incidents in recent months, sparking alarm among locals. In April, a woman was critically injured in a knife attack during a robbery near the Railroad Terminal, marking the second violent occurrence in that area within a week.

In June, a young woman reported being menaced by an individual brandishing a knife in the city center, raising questions about the police response to her complaints.

Electric vehicle robberies have had even more dire consequences in other provinces. On August 1, young Carlos Luis Suárez Navarro was killed in Cienfuegos during a robbery where the attackers sought to seize his electric scooter.

Earlier, in April, Adonis Fuentes González was murdered in the same province during another violent assault. In that case, the attackers stole the battery and charger from his electric tricycle.

Amidst growing public safety concerns, the PNR continues to stage public events showcasing recovered goods. While these events aim to demonstrate effective police action, they inadvertently highlight the very crimes they purport to resolve.