In a Havana neighborhood, residents apprehended a woman on Tuesday after she was caught red-handed attempting to steal from a home inhabited by an elderly disabled person. "Look at this thief; she was caught today breaking into a house where an elderly person in a wheelchair was present, trying to steal a phone. This happened on 1st Street between Goicuría and A Street, in Ampliación del Sevillano," shared Yamily González on Facebook.
The woman was detained by the neighbors who tied her hands while waiting for the police to arrive, according to comments on social media. A video circulating shows the young woman sitting on the porch floor with her wrists tightly bound by a cable, tearfully pleading not to be recorded.
The event sparked outrage among many, who flooded the comments with insults aimed at the thief. Criticism was particularly harsh regarding her choice to steal from a vulnerable person despite her youth and physical strength, a behavior noted as increasingly common in Cuba, where unemployed youths resort to theft, assault, and even murder to strip victims of their possessions.
Some questioned the ethics of filming the woman, while others argued that it was necessary to publicly expose criminals and demanded that she face the full force of the law. "Abusive," shouted one woman. "Apparently, you have no family who could be in such vulnerable situations, you deserve no mercy. A thief is a criminal because tomorrow they might kill to steal, tough on you, full weight of the law without parole."
This incident is not an isolated case but rather part of a growing wave of crime plaguing the nation in recent years. Frightened by escalating violence and insecurity, Cubans have increasingly resorted to taking justice into their own hands, given the police's inefficacy in addressing the surge in criminal activity.
Addressing Crime and Safety Concerns in Cuba
Why did the neighbors tie up the woman?
The neighbors restrained the woman to prevent her from escaping while waiting for the police to arrive.
What sparked the outrage on social media?
The outrage was fueled by the woman's attempt to rob a defenseless elderly person and the broader context of rising crime rates in Cuba.
How are Cubans responding to the increase in crime?
Many Cubans, frustrated by the inefficacy of the police, are taking matters into their own hands to ensure justice and safety in their communities.