Vigilante ‘Mexican Batman’ hunts bike thieves and dishes out novel humiliation | World | News

An unidentified vigilante nicknamed Mexico’s “Batman” allegedly captured two bike thieves and tied them to a lamppost with tape. The criminals were later discovered with the word “ratero” – Spanish for robber – scrawled on their foreheads.

Authorities said they were searching for the unknown man following a series of incidents in the western state of Jalisco that involved at least five men tied to poles with the “ratero” sign on their bodies.

Some of the criminals had funnier designs painted on their faces, such as cat whiskers and whiskers. Some of their mouths were covered with tape.

Officers reportedly found the men next to warning notices and the bikes they had allegedly stolen.

The “Mexican Batman” appears to have caught his first bike thief on June 13, when local police found a man tied to a lamppost next to one of the vigilante’s characteristic signs.

Over the next few days, four more men were discovered in the same manner. Officers also observed some men displaying evidence of assault, including visible cuts, bruises and bloodied faces.

Local journalist Luis Cardenes called the mysterious attacker the “Batman of Lagos de Moreno.”

According to local media sources, the man’s identity is unknown. After becoming disillusioned with what he described as inadequate law enforcement, he began dispensing brutal justice, much like the fictional superhero.

Authorities see the capture of the vigilante as their primary goal, declaring the five men discovered tied to the vigilante as “victims” for now, and there is evidence to suggest they were assaulted before being restrained.

Upon detection of the situation, the victims were rescued from the poles and intervened by emergency medical personnel. It remains unclear at this stage whether they face any theft charges.

No arrests have yet been made, but police have confirmed that two vehicles linked to the suspect have been identified.

Mexico has long struggled with an extraordinarily high crime rate. More than 36,000 cases of violent grand theft auto were recorded nationwide in 2023.