Argentina 'Superhero' Menganno Is An Ex-Cop

The middle-aged man rose to fame by riding around Buenos Aires in a blue helmet and armour - now he faces the wrath of police.

Argentinian Superhero Menganno Identity Revealed After Arrest

Is it a bird? A plane? No. It's a 43-year-old in trouble for having a gun

A self-styled superhero from Argentina has been unmasked as a retired policeman after an alleged shoot-out with petty criminals.

Buenos Aires' answer to Batman was named as Oscar Lefosse, a 43-year-old who drew headlines in 2010 when he began patrolling the outskirts of the city while wearing a blue mask and armour.

Named 'Menganno', which means Joe Blow in Spanish, his identity was revealed after he was charged with carrying an unlicenced gun after apparently firing at would-be muggers.

He told police the alleged criminals shot at his car while he was driving with his wife, prompting him to return fire with his Glock pistol.

It later emerged his gun licence had expired last year.

Argentinian Superhero Menganno Car With Bulletholes After Shootout
Menganno's Facebook picture of what he said was his bullet-ridden car

Menganno, who has 33,000 followers on Facebook, posted a photo of what he said was his bullet-ridden car.

But a Buenos Aires policeman told Argentinian news agency Telam that the shots all came from inside the car.

The police official added: "He could have killed somebody, an innocent bystander. He is irresponsible."

In 2010 Menganno was quoted as saying: "My goal is for all of us to be better and show more solidarity. Injustice makes me sick."

He added that he only defended himself with a flashlight, pepper spray and a compass.

Lefosse worked as a policeman from 1986 to 1996.

However, stories of his alter ego Menganno actually tackling criminals are difficult to find - and for some he is seen as a joke figure rather than a true vigilante.

Speaking on Argentinian TV after his unmasking, he said: "I do not walk around the street armed. I keep my gun at home."