A surveillance camera captured a Cuban man in the act of stealing from a business in El Vedado, Havana. This incident was highlighted by a user on the Facebook group Revolico Habana, who warned others to be cautious of the individual, as he has been seen committing thefts on multiple occasions.
"Thief spotted stealing in the early hours of Saturday at a business located at 19 and B, Vedado. Please, if you see him, be cautious—he's been seen stealing cell phones and other items before," wrote Robin Lorenzo Ledesma, sharing images of the incident.
The video, which lasts just over a minute, depicts the man standing in front of what appears to be the sales counter of an outdoor terrace. Wearing a white shirt with long sleeves of a different color, the culprit even dared to look directly at the security camera.
After repeatedly glancing around and making a failed attempt to move behind the counter, he simply reached out to grab a bag filled with items. After securing his loot, the thief—who reportedly has a history of similar crimes—fled the scene swiftly.
Comments flooded in, with remarks like "Quite the character"; "This guy has been stealing for days, and nothing is done..."; "I've seen two videos of this man stealing now, it's unbelievable he's still free and unidentified. Who knows how many times he's done this"; and "They're getting away with it, but sometimes we give them the chance."
Some users questioned the absence of a waiter if the place was open, or a guard, in case it was closed. The escalating economic crisis in Cuba has led to a surge in various types of thefts across the island in recent years. Incidents range from violent street crimes and forced home burglaries to opportunistic petty thefts, as illustrated by this case.
Recently, residents of Ampliación del Sevillano in Havana apprehended and tied up a woman after catching her red-handed stealing inside a home where an elderly disabled person lives.
Understanding the Rise in Theft in Cuba
What prompted the increase in theft-related incidents in Cuba?
The ongoing economic crisis in Cuba has exacerbated theft incidents, as financial hardships push individuals toward criminal activities.
How are communities responding to theft in Havana?
Communities in Havana are taking actions such as sharing information on social media and sometimes apprehending thieves themselves to combat the rise in crime.