On Monday, two alleged pickpockets were apprehended after attempting to steal a cell phone from a young man on a P3 route bus in Havana's 10 de Octubre municipality. The incident occurred at the Porvenir stop between Fonts and Bouza streets as a mother and her son were trying to board the P3, according to the pro-government Facebook page "El Cubano Fiel," which is linked to the Ministry of the Interior.
According to this source, the two criminals took advantage of the crowd, a frequent occurrence due to Cuba's ongoing transportation crisis, to snatch the phone from the boy’s pocket. Fortunately, the victim noticed the theft in time and confronted the pickpockets, who were then detained by bystanders at the stop. Police officers from patrol car 424 later arrested the suspects and took them to the Aguilera station in Lawton.
Public Transport Thefts on the Rise
Thefts on Cuban public transportation have become another harsh reality for island residents. Such environments are ripe for criminals who exploit the chaos, crowds, and distractions to carry out their crimes. Earlier this year, a similar incident happened at the corner of Monte and Belascoaín, where an alleged pickpocket was caught while trying to steal on a P14 route bus in Old Havana.
The supposed thief was handcuffed in front of dozens of onlookers who gathered to witness the event amidst a surge in criminal activity and street violence in Cuba. In June, another similar event occurred on the P6 route, specifically at the La Lechera stop in Old Havana. On that occasion, the culprit was captured after stealing a cell phone from a Cuban woman in the midst of a crowd.
Severe Punishments for Public Transport Crimes
According to a report on the official program Mesa Redonda, a man who attempted to steal a cell phone from its owner on a P12 route bus in Havana was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The show’s version of the events stated that when the victim realized the theft, the bus driver stopped the vehicle and kept the doors shut. A passenger then called the stolen phone, immediately identifying the thief.
Faced with exposure, the pickpocket did not back down and brandished a knife in an attempt to escape, but he was unsuccessful. The thief was tried for robbery with violence and illegal possession of weapons. The prosecution demanded a combined sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and a fine exceeding 8,000 pesos for the damages caused to the cell phone.