Calgary police have charged six men and one youth in relation to luring and targeted assaults that occurred after meeting on a dating app.
On Friday, March 14, 2025, Calgary police responded to reports of a man who claimed to have been assaulted by a group of unknown individuals. Further investigation determined that the man had arranged to meet up with someone after communicating on an online dating app. Once at the agreed-upon location, four individuals emerged from a vehicle, confronting the man, assaulting him with a baseball bat, a replica firearm, and then slashing both the interior of the vehicle and the tires before fleeing.
Investigators reviewed CCTV and were able to identify a vehicle of interest in the assault. They also worked closely with our analytical team to determine if there were any similar incidents in the city. Further analysis revealed there had been two other assaults that investigators believed were perpetrated by the same individuals.
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 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 to police.
As a result of the investigation, three adults and one youth, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have been charged in relation to the assaults.
Alexander RODDICK, 18, Reyad Said ABUNADA, 18, and one youth, all of Calgary, have each been charged with four counts each of aggravated assault, mischief over $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offense. They have also been charged with one count each of robbery with a firearm and extortion.
RODDICK will next appear in court on Friday, May 9, 2025.
ABUNADA will next appear in court on Friday, May 23, 2025.
The youth will next appear in court tomorrow, Friday, May 2, 2025.
Devon William HICKEY, 19, of Calgary has been 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.
HICKEY will next appear in court on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
As a further result of the investigation, three men who were the victims of the assaults have also been charged in relation to arranging to meet a minor for a sexual purpose.
Victor Gonzales VILLANUEVA, 38, David Patrick WATKINS, 68, and Jonathan ROSETE, 33, all of Calgary, have been charged with one count each of child luring and invitation to sexual touching.
They are scheduled to appear in court on May 28, 2025.
Calgary police Hate Crime Prevention Team is investigating whether hate motivation was a factor in the assaults.
“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. Vigilante justice is never the answer and only serves to escalate violence and undermine the rule of law,” says District 2 Inspector Keith Hurley. “We urge the public to report any suspicious activity to police and to allow us to address these matters appropriately.”
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
CA25110585/ 5876
