Mexico gets its own Batman, who hunts street thieves and ties them to lampposts PHOTOS
Police in the Mexican state of Jalisco are investigating a series of vigilante justice cases: an unknown person is tying alleged motorcycle and bicycle thieves to lampposts, leaving signs with accusations nearby. Local journalists have dubbed him "Batman" for this.
Photo here and further: LuisCardenasMx / X
A wave of unusual incidents began in the city of Lagos de Moreno in mid-June. To date, as reported by The Telegraph, police have recorded at least five cases where young men were found tied to lampposts.
The word "ratero" (Spanish for "thief") was written on the foreheads of those detained, and cat whiskers were often drawn on their faces. In some cases, the victims' mouths were taped shut, and bicycles or motorcycles, which they allegedly tried to steal, were found nearby, along with signs bearing accusations.
In the photos, some men show cuts, bruises, and traces of blood on their faces, indicating that they were likely beaten beforehand. In one instance, two men were tied back-to-back to a lamppost.
According to local media, the unknown perpetrator allegedly became disillusioned with the work of law enforcement agencies and decided to punish alleged criminals himself. Mexican journalist Luis Cárdenas, who published a series of photos of the alleged thieves online, dubbed this person "the Batman of Lagos de Moreno," by analogy with the comic book hero who takes justice into his own hands.
Jalisco Secretary of Security Juan Pablo Hernández reported that police have recorded five such cases and are searching for individuals who may be involved. The state prosecutor of Jalisco confirmed that both the attacks themselves and the allegations of motorcycle and bicycle thefts are being investigated.
However, the prosecutor's office emphasized: even if the tied men may indeed be involved in thefts, at this moment they are victims, as they were unlawfully beaten and deprived of their freedom. Emergency services personnel provided them with medical assistance. It is not yet known whether any of them will be charged with theft.
According to the police, two vehicles potentially linked to these incidents have already been identified, but no arrests have been made yet.
As the publication notes, the story unfolds in one of the most crime-ridden regions of Mexico. The state of Jalisco, along with the neighboring state of Mexico, is among the regions with the highest level of property crimes. According to police data, more than half of all thefts in the country occur in these two states.
Furthermore, Jalisco is the stronghold of the cartel "Jalisco New Generation" (CJNG) — one of Mexico's largest and most brutal criminal organizations. According to US authorities, this cartel plays a key role in smuggling fentanyl and other drugs into the United States.
Overall, Mexico has been facing a high level of crime for many years. According to official data, over 36,000 violent carjackings were registered in the country in 2023 alone. Motorcycle and bicycle thefts also remain a common problem. Moreover, they are often used to commit other crimes. According to estimates by the authorities of the State of Mexico, about 70% of crimes in the region are committed using motorcycles.
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