Two young men accused of theft were found tied to a utility pole in the municipality of Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco. Their faces were covered with adhesive tape, the word “RAT” was written on their foreheads, and a poster board detailed the criminal acts for which they had been caught.
The discovery was made in the early hours of the morning when local residents found the thieves on the street. Beside the two individuals tied to the pole was a motorcycle belonging to them; their captors had included it in the scene to demonstrate the means used to commit the robberies.
The incident had a significant impact on the local population due to the methods citizens used to subdue the individuals and stage the public display on the municipality’s streets. Reports from neighbors indicated that the captors took the time to paint fake mustaches on the men’s faces and write warning messages before leaving the scene.
Public security forces arrived at the location after receiving reports. Police officers cut the restraints binding the two men, conducted a general medical assessment, and secured the motorcycle found at the site in order to transfer the individuals to the competent authorities.
Images of the event spread immediately across various digital platforms, sparking mixed reactions among internet users. While one segment of the community applauded the citizens’ actions—citing widespread frustration over the prevalence of street robberies—other users emphasized the importance of handling criminals through established legal channels to avoid vigilantism and ensure that investigations are conducted in accordance with the law.
