Man Attacked After Meeting Calgarians Posing as Minors on Dating App, Say Police

Calgary Police have charged six men and one youth in relation to multiple luring incidents and targeted assaults linked to online dating apps.

As per investigators, the victim planned to meet someone through an online dating app. Upon arriving at the designated location, he was assaulted with a baseball bat and a replica firearm by four assailants, who also vandalized his vehicle before escaping, police revealed.

Using video evidence, law enforcement identified a vehicle related to the attack, which was linked to two other similar incidents allegedly committed by the same group.

“Authorities believe that a group consisting of three men and one youth impersonated underage teens on a dating app to lure men into isolated locations for assaults,” police stated.

“Additionally, police obtained video footage of the assaults from cell phones. While three instances have been reported, there may be more that have not yet come to light.”

Two Calgary residents, Alexander Roddick and Reyad Said Abunada, both 18, along with a youth, face four counts each of aggravated assault, mischief exceeding $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. They are additionally charged with one count of robbery with a firearm and extortion.

Devon William Hickey, 19, from Calgary, was charged with one count each of aggravated assault, mischief exceeding $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, robbery with a firearm, extortion, and disguise with intent.

Roddick’s court appearance is scheduled for May 9, Abunada for May 23, the youth for May 2, and Hickey for May 14. The youth’s identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Furthermore, the three assault victims have also been charged, accused of attempting to meet a minor for sexual purposes, according to police.

Victor Gonzales Villanueva, 38, David Patrick Watkins, 68, and Jonathan Rosete, 33, all from Calgary, are facing one count each of child luring and invitation to sexual touching.

All three men are expected in court on May 28.

Calgary’s hate crime prevention team is continuing to investigate to determine whether hate was a motivating factor in these planned assaults, the police reported.

“We firmly condemn the actions of all individuals involved in these incidents. Both the perpetrators of the assaults and those meeting minors for illicit reasons are culpable,” stated District 2 Insp. Keith Hurley. “Vigilante justice is never an option and only exacerbates violence while undermining the rule of law.”