A video circulating on social media captures the moment when two young individuals execute a theft inside a barbershop in Santa Clara. They employed a distraction technique to steal a fan from the premises, managing to leave undetected for a brief period.
The footage, shared by a member of the Facebook group Compra y venta de máquinas de pelar Habana, was posted alongside the message: “Thieves in the barbershop. This is how they operate.”
The incident took place in a Santa Clara barbershop, according to the post, although several users report similar incidents occurring across various neighborhoods.
In the recording, one suspect is seen entering the shop under the guise of selling hair products, including bottles of keratin, engaging the barbers in conversation to divert their attention.
Meanwhile, the accomplice seizes the opportunity to grab a portable fan, stash it in a backpack, and casually exit the scene.
“It happened in a matter of seconds. While one was talking and asking permission to display the bottles, the other was already stealing. This is happening frequently,” remarked one of the affected barbers.
The video has sparked a wave of outrage among users, who criticize the rise in petty thefts, small-scale burglaries, and street scams targeting private establishments and local businesses.
In recent months, business owners and entrepreneurs in Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and other provinces have sounded the alarm about an increase in thefts, vandalism, and assaults on private businesses, exacerbated by the economic crisis and lack of police presence in peripheral areas.
Understanding Crime in Cuban Barbershops
What technique did the thieves use to steal from the barbershop?
The thieves used a distraction technique where one engaged the barbers in conversation while the other stole a fan.
What has been the public's reaction to the video?
The public has expressed outrage, denouncing the increase in small-scale thefts and scams in private businesses.
How has the economic situation in Cuba affected crime rates?
The economic crisis, coupled with inadequate police control, has led to a rise in thefts and assaults on private businesses.