Mexican ‘batman’ vigilante wanted for chasing down suspected thieves and taping them to lampposts

Mexican ‘batman’ vigilante wanted for chasing down suspected thieves and taping them to lampposts At least five men have been found tied to lampposts in the western Mexican city of Lagos de Moreno - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments A Mexican vigilante known as ‘batman’ is being hunted by police after he allegedly chased down suspected thieves and taped them to lampposts. At least five men were found taped and unable to move from lampposts over 10 days in the area of Lagos de Moreno in Jalisco, western Mexico, according to reports. Many of them were reportedly sporting moustaches, cat whiskers, and had “ratero”, the Spanish word for “thief”, scribbled on their faces by the anonymous crime hunter. Some of them also appeared to have been beaten up, with bloody faces and visible cuts. The unknown vigilante was nicknamed the “Batman of Lagos de Moreno” by Mexican journalist Luis Cardenas after local media reported they had become frustrated with the slow pace of local law enforcement and decided to take matters into their own hands. The first case was reported in the city of Lagos de Moreno on June 13, but four other similar instances have since been discovered. Pictures show men tied to lampposts using silver duct tape, some with pink warning signs over their heads describing what they are alleged to have done. The bikes they are accused of stealing were also left nearby in a bid to illustrate the alleged crimes. The men were eventually cut free and released by local emergency services. Local police confirmed they are now in search of a suspect after Juan Pablo Hernández, the state security secretary, said police had recorded five such incidents. Salvador González de los Santos, a Jalisco prosecutor, told The Telegraph investigators are examining the cases. Prosecutors said they are investigating alleged thefts by the men, but that “at this moment they are victims” because they had been unlawfully assaulted and restrained. No arrests have been made at this time. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments