Dr. Ailenys Pérez Cepero, a resident of Unión de Reyes in Matanzas, has been reunited with her electric scooter weeks following a brutal highway assault where two men attacked her, stole the vehicle, and fled with other belongings.
The electric scooter was recently returned to the doctor at her home, as reported by Periódico Girón.
The violent incident took place in early August during the afternoon, as Pérez Cepero traveled along the road between the Oliva settlement and the main town of Unión de Reyes.
According to Radio 26, the attackers knocked the doctor off her scooter, physically assaulted her, and made off with the vehicle and other items.
The investigation eventually led authorities to the province of Mayabeque, where parts and other belongings from the UNIZUKI scooter were discovered.
Two men were apprehended at their homes in the municipality of Nueva Paz—one in the area of the former Manuel Isla sugar mill and another in Los Palos. Both are currently in custody as the judicial process continues.
Major Yordany Apolinario Montes de Oca, head of the Unión de Reyes police unit, stated that evidence collected during the investigation allowed authorities to trace the suspects’ movements.
Meanwhile, Yasiel Prado Valdés, a delegate of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) in the municipality, credited the identification of the suspects to the evidence gathered after the assault, inquiries conducted in the area, and information provided by the victim herself.
Ultimately, MININT agents delivered the recovered scooter to Pérez Cepero's home, where it was handed over in the presence of neighbors and colleagues.
Pérez Cepero's case is notably unusual among the many reports of scooter thefts in Cuba; not only was the vehicle found and returned, but two suspects were also detained.
Reports of thefts, assaults, and other criminal acts are rampant on social media and in independent media outlets in Cuba, often without subsequent recovery of belongings or identification of culprits.
Some incidents have ended tragically, such as the case of a young man who died in Cienfuegos during an attempt to steal his electric scooter.
In June, three armed men broke into a doctor's home in Guanabacoa, Havana, making off with cash, jewelry, and a motorcycle.
Electric scooters have become a crucial alternative for many Cubans amid the decline of public transportation and ongoing fuel shortages. The high cost means that losing one of these vehicles can be an economic blow to any family.
For Pérez Cepero, regaining her scooter also means reclaiming a mode of transport essential for her daily life as a healthcare professional.
Understanding the Increase in Scooter Thefts in Cuba
Why are electric scooters important in Cuba?
Electric scooters are vital in Cuba due to the deteriorating public transport system and persistent fuel shortages. They provide a reliable and efficient means of transportation for many Cubans.
What challenges do victims face in recovering stolen scooters?
Victims often face significant obstacles in recovering stolen scooters, including limited police resources, infrequent identification of suspects, and the high demand for scooter parts which facilitates their illegal resale.