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Texas teen couple used dating apps to lure young men into violent ambushes, police say

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Published  June 1, 2026 11:06 AM CDT
Texas
FOX Local
article

17-year-old Alyssa Canul, 17-year-old Joseph Aguilar (Source: City of Universal City)

The Brief

    • Alyssa Canul (17) and Joseph Aguilar (18) were arrested following a multi-agency SWAT operation for using online dating platforms to lure and ambush young men in Universal City.
    • The couple is linked to two separate attacks, including one incident where a victim was pistol-whipped and another where a 15-year-old boy survived being shot four times.
    • Both suspects face multiple felony charges and it is unknown if they have legal representation, while police continue to investigate whether there are additional victims.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Texas - Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a series of violent online dating traps that led to armed robberies, a pistol-whipping, and the near-fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy, police said.

Teens arrested in dating app traps

What we know:

Alyssa Canul, 17, was arrested on May 29 and faces two counts of aggravated robbery and a potential charge of tampering with physical evidence. Her arrest follows a multi-agency SWAT operation on May 26 that captured her boyfriend and alleged accomplice, 18-year-old Joseph Anthony Aguilar.

Authorities said the teenage couple recently moved to Universal City, living at the Villa Mesa apartments, and used online dating platforms to lure young men to designated locations before ambushing them.

The backstory:

According to investigators, the crime spree involved at least two separate violent incidents. In the first case, a victim was robbed and pistol-whipped. In the second, a 15-year-old boy was lured to a meeting location, robbed, and shot four times. Authorities confirmed the juvenile survived but required extensive hospitalization.

Aguilar was arrested during the May 26 SWAT raid, which involved the Universal City Police Department and several neighboring law enforcement agencies. Canul had remained at large until later that week.

What they're saying:

Universal City Police Chief Johnny Siemens noted that despite Aguilar’s age, he already carries an extensive criminal history.

"When something like this happens, there is always concern in the community," Siemens said following the initial raid. "In this case, all officers involved moved quickly."

Aguilar faces multiple felony charges. It was not immediately clear if either Aguilar or Canul had retained legal representation.

In the wake of the arrests, local law enforcement and online safety advocates are urging parents to remain vigilant and report any suspected grooming or predatory internet behavior to authorities.

The Source: Information in this article is from Universal City officials.

TexasCrime and Public SafetyNews