Police hunt mystery 'Batman' vigilante who assaults, humiliates suspected thieves

Authorities in western Mexico are searching for an anonymous vigilante dubbed "Batman", accused of capturing suspected thieves, assaulting them, and duct-taping them to streetlights.

According to The Independent, police in the city of Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, rescued at least five restrained individuals over 10 days.

Images of the incidents have since gone viral on social media and have been seen by TNX Africa.

The photos show the suspects bound to lampposts with silver duct tape, with allegedly stolen property, including bicycles and motorcycles, placed nearby to highlight their alleged crimes.

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Cardboard warning signs were positioned above their heads, while their faces had been drawn on with whiskers, fake moustaches and the Spanish word "ratero", meaning "thief".

The men also appeared to have cuts and bruises consistent with physical assault.

According to Mexican media, the self-styled vigilante emerged amid growing public frustration over slow police responses to neighbourhood crime.

Jalisco State Security Secretary Juan Pablo Hernández told The Telegraph that authorities had recorded five incidents since the pattern began on June 13, with officers freeing each of the restrained men.

State Prosecutor Salvador González de los Santos said investigators are examining the theft allegations against the men, but they are currently being treated as victims because they were unlawfully restrained and assaulted.

Authorities said no arrests have been made in connection with the vigilante attacks, and investigations are ongoing.

The incidents have sparked mixed reactions online.

One Instagram user, Lunosti, wrote: "Authorities are mad because someone is doing their job better."

Another, Polat, commented: "Some heroes don't wear capes; they just carry duct tape."