Residents of the Pastorita neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba took action on Tuesday night, capturing a man accused of snatching a phone from an individual. Eyewitnesses recount that the suspect was surrounded by a group of locals who, outraged by the incident, physically subdued him before handing him over to the police.
"Mayeta, we caught this man stealing a phone, and you know the 'lesson' we taught him... We made it clear we don't tolerate thieves here," a resident told journalist Yosmany Mayeta, sharing images of the encounter. The locals emphasized that the beating served as a warning to criminals that theft will not be tolerated in their community.
A video shared by the source shows the man lying on the ground, curled up, shielding his face, as community members admonish him, expressing disappointment that someone of his age would resort to theft instead of finding legitimate means to earn a living. The man was eventually turned over to the authorities amid applause from those present.
The identity of the accused has not been disclosed, nor is there any information on his condition following the confrontation. In Cuba, it's becoming increasingly common for citizens to take justice into their own hands, as they face a surge in crime and violence, juxtaposed with inadequate police response.
Recently, residents in Santiago de Cuba captured another thief, tying his hands and detaining him until police arrived. This particular incident took place in the Petrocasas area. In a separate occurrence, several individuals apprehended a criminal who had snatched a chain from a foreign tourist in Old Havana.
Earlier in December, inhabitants of the 30 de Noviembre neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba detained a thief who attempted to rob an elderly man and flee. Additionally, a 19-year-old was caught by residents in a district in the Guantánamo municipality after trying to escape following a robbery.
Community Justice and Crime in Cuba
Why are Cuban citizens taking justice into their own hands?
Cuban citizens are increasingly taking justice into their own hands due to a rise in crime and violence, coupled with a perceived lack of effective response from law enforcement authorities.
What was the community's reaction after capturing the thief?
The community reacted with applause after capturing the thief, signaling their approval of taking action against crime in their neighborhood.
Has the identity of the accused been revealed?
No, the identity of the accused has not been disclosed, nor is there information on his health status following the incident.