Pair of Irish crooks found shackled together on park bench, after being attacked by vigilantes, Saturday in County Armagh, N. Ireland

James White and Alexis Guesto, believed to be on the lam from the Republic of Ireland only to be ensnared in Mullaghbawn

The pair had been tied to a bench and covered in paint

The fugitives, wanted for breach of license and warrants, had eluded a high-profile search that riled up the community, before they were attacked by vigilantes

 

James White and Alexis Guesto were found in South Armagh having been tied to a bench and covered in paint

A pair of wanted men have been tracked down by police – after vigilantes tied them to a bench and covered them in paint. Pictures of the suspects have been shared all over social media, but detectives do not see the funny side.
The duo, James White and Alexis Guesto, were bound up and had paint poured on them in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Both had to be taken to hospital after suffering injuries. The unusual arrest followed a high-profile search for White and Guesto, who were wanted for breach of license and warrants.
Police in Northern Ireland have criticized the people involved after James White and Alexis Guesto were taken to hospital following their arrest. Authorities are now trying to work out who tied them up after saying that feelings were running high.

James White [left], and Alexis Guesto [right], were arrested by police in Northern Ireland after he was tied up by vigilantes

 

In a statement, Northern Irish Police said: “Police were alerted to reports of an assault in the area and upon arrival discovered the two men.
“Both had sustained injuries and have been taken to hospital for treatment.”

 

The duo had been the subject of a high-profile police search

And Detective Chief Inspector Jill Duffie added: “I understand that feelings in the area have been running high over the search for these men, however, there can never be an excuse for violence or people taking the law into their own hands.
“We will be investigating the assault and working to identify anyone involved.”
Sinn Fein councillor Mickey Larkin said the action had been “unfortunate but understandable considering the distress the community has been under”.
Police had been trying to find the men for a number of days. However, it appears vigilantes got hold of them first, now they are investigating the “serious assault of the  two men in the Mullaghbawn area of south Armagh on Saturday 28th April.”