UMVA has learned that a disturbing trend of violent robberies, allegedly orchestrated by two Texas teenagers through online dating platforms, has left a trail of terror and trauma in its wake.
The accused, Alyssa Canul, 17, and her boyfriend, Joseph Anthony Aguilar, 18, are said to have targeted young men, luring them into meeting in person with promises of romance, only to rob and assault them. The brutal crimes have shocked authorities and left victims reeling.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the pair's alleged modus operandi involved using dating apps to gain the trust of their victims, before ambushing and robbing them. In one harrowing incident, a victim was pistol-whipped, while in another, a 15-year-old boy was shot four times and left fighting for his life.
The suspects, who were living at Universal City's Villa Mesa Apartments, were finally brought to justice after a SWAT operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies led to Aguilar's arrest on May 26. Canul, who had been on the run, was apprehended a day later, on May 27.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Universal City Police Chief, Johnny Siemens, has praised the swift response by officers and partner agencies, saying, "When something like this happens, there is always concern in the community. In this case, all officers involved moved quickly."
The victims, and their families, are still reeling from the aftermath of these heinous crimes. The 15-year-old boy, who was shot four times, has thankfully survived and is recovering from his injuries. The community remains shaken, but authorities have vowed to continue working tirelessly to ensure justice is served.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the investigation is ongoing, and police are working to determine if there are any additional suspects or victims. For now, Canul and Aguilar are facing multiple felony charges, and their alleged crimes have sent shockwaves through the community.
