Teen Couple Arrested in Texas for Allegedly Luring and Robbing Victims via Dating Apps

A teen couple in Texas has been accused of carrying out at least two violent robberies in Universal City. Joseph Anthony Aguilar, 18, and Alyssa Victoria Canul, 17, were arrested on May 26 and 27, respectively.

Canul allegedly talked to men on dating apps and lured them to a park near the couple’s Villa Mesa apartment. Aguilar then allegedly attacked the victims and stole items like clothes, shoes, phones, jewelry, and vehicle keys from them.

According to the Universal City Police Department, Aguilar and Canul robbed two people within a span of three hours on May 25. Around 3 a.m., Canul lured the first victim to Red Horse Park using an online dating platform and sat with him on a bench. Aguilar then appeared wearing a mask and told the victim he was a gang member.

He allegedly pistol-whipped the man and robbed him of his money. At 5:45 a.m., the couple targeted their second victim. This time, a 15-year-old boy was called to the park, once again through a dating app. Canul told him to accompany her to her apartment.

After the two reached the apartment, Aguilar emerged from the bushes and began to load his weapon. While the victim attempted to run, Aguilar allegedly shot him four times, twice in the arm and twice in the leg. Though he was robbed, the boy was able to escape and reach a nearby coffee shop.

Bystanders called emergency services, and the victim was admitted to a hospital. He is currently undergoing treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, police began searching for Aguilar and Canul.

The victims were able to identify the couple through their tattoos. One of the couple’s relatives provided police with a recorded phone call, in which Canul said that the mask and gloves had been flushed down the toilet and the gun had been disposed of.

Aguilar has been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery. He has an extensive criminal history and was reportedly wearing an ankle monitor when he carried out the robberies. Canul is facing two counts of aggravated robbery and may also be charged with tampering with physical evidence.

Universal City Police announced the arrests with a social media post that read, “The pair recently moved to Universal City and are accused of luring young men on online dating sites then, robbing and assaulting them.”

“In the first case, the victim was pistol whipped. In the second, a 15-year-old boy was shot four times but survived. The two teenagers were residing at Universal City's Villa Mesa apartments,” police said.

Both have been booked at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center in San Antonio. Aguilar and Canul’s bonds have been set at $300,000 and $250,000, respectively. Meanwhile, activists and advocacy groups have urged parents to educate their children about the risks of luring through dating apps.