Lure and Rob Violently: How a Texas teen couple used dating apps to trap victims?

Two teenagers from Texas are facing multiple felony charges after allegedly using online dating apps to lure victims before violently robbing them. Authorities have identified the suspects as Alyssa Canul and her boyfriend, Joseph Anthony Aguilar Campos. Canul, 17, was arrested on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, and charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, according to a press release from Universal City Police (UCP) and public Bexar County arrest records. She may also face a charge of tampering with physical evidence.

She is suspected to have partnered with 17-year-old Joseph, who was arrested earlier this week, the press release stated. He has an extensive criminal history. According to a Universal City Government Facebook post, the couple recently moved to Universal City and are accused of luring young men on online dating sites and then robbing and assaulting them.

Joseph was arrested one day prior on Tuesday, May 26, on two counts of aggravated robbery, according to an additional police release and public arrest records.

Teen couple tied to violent robberies

Police stated that Canul and Joseph, 18, were arrested in relation to two alleged incidents. “In the first case, the victim was pistol whipped. In the second, a 15-year-old boy was shot four times but survived,” police explained. Both incidents took place on Monday, May 25, per public arrest records.

The arrest affidavit, accessed by ABC affiliate KSAT, stated that in one of the cases, Canul allegedly used a dating app to persuade a victim to meet her at a park bench. Joseph, her boyfriend, then appeared and allegedly “pistol whipped” the victim before demanding “all of the male victim’s money.”In the second reported robbery, a 15‑year‑old boy used a rideshare service to reach Universal City Park around 5:45 a.m., where he spoke with Canul at the same bench. According to the affidavit, Canul then enticed the teen to leave the park and go to Joseph’s room at the Villa Mesa apartments, located about half a mile away, where she began counting his cash aloud.

According to records, Joseph had been hiding in nearby bushes when he made a “loud noise” and revealed himself to the teen while loading his weapon. The 15‑year‑old tried to flee but was shot four times before ultimately being robbed.

Victim manages to escape

According to KSAT and UCP, the wounded teen made his way to a coffee shop, where bystanders called 911. He was taken to a hospital where he received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Police also obtained a recorded phone call between Canul and Joseph in which Canul is allegedly heard saying she disposed of the weapon used during the robberies, per the arrest affidavit, according to KSAT.

Canul and Joseph are currently being held at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center in San Antonio. Canul is being held on a combined bond of $250,000, while Joseph is being held on a combined bond of $300,000, PEOPLE reported, citing Bexar County jail records.