Alleged thieves tied naked to lampposts in Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta is having a problem with naked men.

Two times this week, alleged thieves have been abducted and tied naked to lampposts with their buttocks beaten raw.

The local prosecutors' office confirmed that the incidents occurred and opened an investigation, but would not say how many people were involved.

Local media reported Friday that a total of 10 men were tied naked to posts and had the letter "R'' marked on their heads.

That apparently refers to the Spanish word for "rat," which is slang for thief.

Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco, which is the home of the Jalisco drug cartel.

Cartels sometimes round up common criminals to brandish their own image as protectors of the community.