Six men and one youth are facing charges in connection with a series of luring incidents and targeted assaults associated with online dating apps, Calgary Police say.
The investigation began on March 14 after officers responded to reports of a man who claimed he was assaulted by a group of unknown assailants, police said in a press release.
Investigators said the man had arranged to meet someone through an online dating app. After arriving at the meet-up location, the man was assaulted with a baseball bat and a replica firearm by four individuals. The suspects also slashed the interior and tires of the man’s vehicle before fleeing the scene, police said.
Investigators used video footage to identify a vehicle of interest in the assault and linked it to two other similar assaults thought to have been committed by the same suspects.
“Investigators believe that a group of three men and one youth posed as underage teens on a dating app, attempting to lure men to secluded areas in order to assault them,” police said.
“Police also recovered video of the assaults from cell phones, and while three of these assaults have been reported to police, there may be additional incidents that have not yet been reported.”
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Two 18-year-olds from Calgary, Alexander Roddick and Reyad Said Abunada, and a youth have each been charged with four counts of aggravated assault, mischief over $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. They have also been charged with one count each of robbery with a firearm and extortion.
Devon William Hickey, 19, from Calgary, was charged with one count each of aggravated assault, mischief over $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 is expected to appear in court on May 9, Abunada on May 23, the youth on May 2, and Hickey on May 14. The youth cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The three men who were the victims of the assaults have also been charged as a result of the investigation, police said, noting that they are accused of arranging to meet a minor for sexual purposes.
Victor Gonzales Villanueva, 38, David Patrick Watkins, 68, and Jonathan Rosete, 33, from Calgary, were charged with one count each of child luring and invitation to sexual touching.
All three men are expected to appear in court on May 28.
Calgary’s hate crime prevention team is further investigating these incidents to determine if hate was a motivating factor behind the planned assaults, police said.
“We strongly condemn the actions of all individuals involved in these incidents. Both the perpetrators of the targeted assaults and those who arranged to meet minors for illicit purposes are in the wrong,” District 2 Insp. Keith Hurley said. “Vigilante justice is never the answer and only serves to escalate violence and undermine the rule of law.”
Police are urging anyone with information regarding these incidents to contact them or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.
