In a bizarre turn of events, a suspected thief attempting to burglarize a home in Manzanillo, Granma Province, ended up dozing off on the rooftop. Allegedly under the influence of alcohol, the man fell asleep while the panel he intended to steal dangled precariously from the structure.
This unusual incident was reported on Sunday by the pro-government outlet Entérate con Aytana Alama, which also mentioned the arrest of two individuals linked to the attempted theft. One of these suspects was found wearing a ski mask.
According to the publication, the residents of the home began shouting for help in the early hours upon realizing what was happening. Police officers arrived at the scene around 4 a.m. and were met with an unexpected situation.
Unexpected Outcomes of a Failed Burglary
"The outcome couldn't have been more unusual," the regime's mouthpiece noted, highlighting that one of the suspects had fallen asleep on the rooftop due to alcohol consumption. Both suspects were taken into custody, including the one wearing a ski mask, though their identities, ages, and the specific location in Manzanillo remain undisclosed.
The narrative shared by the official account leaves several unanswered questions. The timeline of events is unclear: When exactly did one of the suspects fall asleep? Why didn’t the other flee when the residents began calling for help? Did he not try to wake his accomplice to escape before the police arrived?
The report also fails to clarify how much time passed between the alert and the arrest. Such details are crucial, as the publication claims the police responded immediately, yet offers no specifics on the sequence of events.
Public Reaction and Skepticism
The story sparked numerous reactions on Facebook, with users mixing humor at the unexpected twist with criticism of the security situation and questions about police response. "He was so quick he fell asleep waiting hahaha," one commenter joked, referencing the claim of the rapid police arrival.
Another user celebrated the arrest with a popular saying: "Perfect, caught red-handed." Yet, not everyone was convinced about the swiftness of the police intervention. "What’s unclear is that the police arrived immediately," one user questioned.
Some users speculated that perhaps alcohol wasn't the only factor in such odd behavior. "Had he consumed just alcohol or something stronger? Because falling asleep at that moment seems unlikely," pondered a commenter.
Others demanded more information about the detainees, called for harsh penalties, and expressed concern over rising crime in Cuba. "My God, crime is getting out of hand," lamented one woman, while another user expressed relief that there were two fewer suspects on the streets, hoping they wouldn't be released soon.
Unexpected Endings in Cuban Thefts
The peculiar nature of this incident brings to mind other theft attempts in Cuba that ended unexpectedly. Back in May 2025, a would-be thief was left hanging from a building in Havana's East district while attempting to escape using a makeshift rope of bed sheets.
The incident occurred at building 322 in the Camilo Cienfuegos neighborhood. The man had broken into an apartment on a higher floor and, upon being discovered, tried to climb down the building's facade. His plan failed when he ended up suspended at a considerable height, unable to descend further or return to the apartment. Neighbors alerted the authorities, and firefighters were required to rescue him.
The scene drew comparisons to the fictional character Spiderman among those who witnessed the rescue.
More recently, in September, residents of the La Belén neighborhood in Camagüey reported the theft of an ETECSA antenna. One of the alleged criminals reportedly left feces on the platform where the equipment was installed.
Independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada reported the event, based on the accounts of local residents. According to the report, the perpetrators cut cables from the installation and allegedly attempted to break into a nearby home. The discovery led to widespread ridicule on social media, though the theft had tangible consequences for the locals: disruptions to telecommunications services in a community already grappling with connectivity issues and frequent blackouts.
Understanding the Burglary Incident in Manzanillo
Why did the thief fall asleep during the burglary?
The thief reportedly fell asleep due to alcohol consumption while attempting to steal from the rooftop.
What time did the police arrive at the scene?
The police arrived around 4 a.m. after residents alerted them to the attempted burglary.
Were the identities of the suspects revealed?
No, the identities, ages, and specific location in Manzanillo were not disclosed in the report.