MEXICO CITY – Mexican police are hunting an individual dubbed 'Mexico's Batman' after he allegedly tied up at least five men suspected of stealing motorcycles and bicycles to lamp posts in the state of Jalisco.
The victims were found with their hands bound, mouths taped shut and the word "ratero", Spanish for thief, written on their foreheads.
Some victims also had drawings of a moustache and cat whiskers on their faces, while the motorcycles or bicycles allegedly stolen were left nearby as evidence.
The first incident was reported in the town of Lagos de Moreno on June 13, before four more cases with the same modus operandi occurred over the following days.
Local media reported that the mystery individual acted alone out of frustration with the authorities' failure to curb crime, earning him the nickname 'Batman of Lagos de Moreno', inspired by the fictional superhero character.
Jalisco Security Secretary Juan Pablo Hernández said police have recorded five such incidents and are now tracking down the individual responsible.
State prosecutor Salvador González de los Santos said investigations are also being carried out into the theft allegations linked to the victims, but they remain classified as victims, as they were attacked and unlawfully detained.
All of them were rescued by emergency teams and received treatment for the injuries they sustained.
So far, no arrests have been made, but police say two vehicles believed to be linked to the incidents have been identified.
Jalisco is among the states most affected by property crime in Mexico and is also a stronghold of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most powerful criminal organisations in the country. – AGENCY