Mysterious ‘Mexican Batman’ fighting crime and duct taping suspects to street posts

Mexico now has its own 'Batman' on the streets

As motorbike thefts continue to increase in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, an unidentified vigilante has taken it upon themselves to tackle the problem.

Over the course of just ten days, at least five suspected motorbike thieves have been captured, taped to street poles and left there as a warning to others.

The vigilante's first known target appeared on 13 June, when a young man was discovered taped to a street post. 

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Over the following days, four more men were discovered in almost identical situations.

Every man was discovered with tape sealing his mouth shut, and in several cases the word “ratero”, meaning “thief”, had been written across their faces in marker pen.

In addition, many of them had moustaches and cat whiskers drawn onto their faces, which appeared to function as a kind of calling card from the vigilante.

Some of the men also appeared to have been assaulted by the individual responsible, with at least one left visibly bloodied and bruised after the incident.

To make sure people passing by knew why the men were in that state, large pink signs were taped above them.

The signs explained the alleged crimes they were said to have committed, according to the person responsible.

To underline the accusations, the motorbikes that were allegedly stolen were also left at the scene, placed nearby as part of the display.

Images of the duct taped men were widely shared online, with social media users dubbing the unidentified figure the “Batman of Lagos de Moreno” and even the “Mexican Batman”.

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The men who were left tied up were later freed and received treatment for their injuries. 

However, it remains unclear whether they are now facing any formal investigation in connection with the alleged motorbike thefts they were accused of.

Police in Jalisco have since said that the men who were found tied up are being treated as victims, and they have now launched a search for the person responsible.

No arrests have been made so far according to local media, but investigators have already identified two vehicles believed to be linked to the incidents.

It is not the first time people have chosen to handle things on their own

Vigilante style action has been appearing more than once in the region in recent times.

In neighbouring Michoacán, a group of women have reportedly been seen carrying assault rifles in order to protect themselves from the violence of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The CJNG is considered one of the most violent crime groups in Mexico in recent years. 

It has expanded quickly across the country through attacks on rival gangs and government forces.

Their rise to power has been marked by extreme violence, often used as a chilling warning to rivals. 

In response, a group of women in the region have built a homemade tank and set up roadblocks to defend themselves against armed men linked to Jalisco.