Authorities have apprehended three individuals involved in a theft at Santiago de Cuba's Fibrocement Plant, part of the Perdurit Fibrocement Enterprise. The arrests were carried out by the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) and the Technical Department of Investigations (DTI).
The incident, as reported by the Facebook account "Héroes del Moncada," which is linked to the Ministry of the Interior, took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The suspects breached the facility's perimeter fence, assaulted a security guard, and gained entry into a warehouse. They managed to steal seven EcoFlow power stations, a solar panel, six batteries, and five motorbike chargers.
Prior to the operation, law enforcement had been monitoring the suspects. They were apprehended as they attempted to flee the scene with the stolen items.
According to the government source, all stolen goods were reportedly recovered during the operation, along with the tools used to carry out the robbery.
Increased Targeting of State Entities Amid Rising Crime
The affected site, officially named the "Armando Mestre Martínez" Fibrocement Company, is situated on the Refinería Road, at kilometer 2½ in Santiago de Cuba's industrial zone. It primarily supplies construction materials to the eastern half of the island.
As crime rates have risen across Cuba, there has been a surge in thefts from state entities, often involving violent attacks on security personnel.
In May, four attackers overpowered, gagged, and tied up a guard at a water pumping station in the Oscar Lucero district of Holguín, making off with 32 photovoltaic solar panels that powered the system.
In another incident in September, seven individuals were arrested following a violent theft at the Almacenes Escambray microenterprise in Pinar del Río, where they also threatened the security guard.
High-Value Targets in a Struggling Economy
Amidst the country's ongoing energy crisis, items like EcoFlow stations, solar panels, and batteries have skyrocketed in value on Cuba's informal market, making them prime targets for theft at both residential and public locations.
In Santiago de Cuba, between May and September of this year, at least 11 solar panels were reported stolen from ETECSA infrastructure in the city, impacting hundreds of users.
Understanding Crime and Security in Cuba's Fibrocement Industry
What items were stolen from the Fibrocement Plant in Santiago de Cuba?
The thieves stole seven EcoFlow power stations, a solar panel, six batteries, and five motorbike chargers.
How did the law enforcement manage to apprehend the suspects?
The police were already tracking the suspects and intercepted them as they attempted to escape with the stolen goods.
Why are items like EcoFlow stations and solar panels targeted in Cuba?
Due to the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba, these items have become extremely valuable in the informal market, making them attractive targets for theft.