CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) – Police have arrested a man they say used mobile dating apps to meet potential robbery victims in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler.
Jose Salvador Rodriguez, 19, was booked on multiple counts of armed robbery and other charges, Chandler police spokesman Joseph Favazzo said July 22.
Rodriguez was apprehended July 21 after authorities say he robbed a convenience store, but investigators had been trying to locate him in six other robberies involving dating apps.
Rodriguez used Jack’d and Grindr, dating apps popular with gay men, to carry out robberies since May, Favazzo said. When dates showed up at a meeting spot, the robber either asked to borrow their cellphone or brandished a BB gun that looked like a real handgun and took their money and cellphones. Favazzo said the victims had all been in contact with an online profile with Rodriguez’s picture.
Rodriguez is also being investigated in similar robberies in Gilbert and Phoenix, according to a probable cause statement.
According to charging documents, Rodriguez admitted to police he committed the robberies to get money to support his heroin addiction.
Rodriguez was jailed with bail set at $150,000. He faces seven counts of armed robbery along with kidnapping, aggravated assault and theft counts. He did not yet have an attorney and would be assigned a public defender.
Favazzo said people, especially young adults, need to exercise extreme caution when meeting someone they’ve only spoken to through chatting or texting.
“It’s not face to face,” Favazzo said. “In reality, you do not even know who these people are.”
Grindr said in a statement that the company was “extremely saddened” to learn about the app’s involvement.
“We treat all reports of crime very seriously and, if asked, will fully cooperate with the investigating authorities,” the company said.
An email request seeking comment from Jack’d was not immediately returned.
