Two Oregon women are facing serious charges after allegedly using a dating app to lure a man into a robbery that ended in a violent shooting, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Julia Dell Yepez and Alexa Montano Corral, both 20, were arrested days apart following an investigation into the May 17 incident in Corvallis.
Authorities say the women connected with the victim through Chispa, a dating app geared toward Latino and Latina singles, and arranged to meet him under false pretenses.
Instead of a romantic encounter, the meeting turned into a planned setup.
Deputies believe the pair intended to rob the man, but the situation escalated and the victim was shot.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. near the intersection of Highway 99W and Lakeside Drive.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the man suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
Julia Dell Yepez and Alexa Montano Corral are facing serious charges after allegedly using a dating app to lure a man into a robbery that ended in a violent shooting, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Authorities say the women connected with the victim through Chispa, a dating app geared toward Latino and Latina singles, and arranged to meet him under false pretenses (Pictured: Alexa Montano)
Witnesses described seeing two Hispanic women fleeing the area on foot. One of them was reportedly wearing a long-sleeve black shirt, which helped authorities later identify one of the suspects.
Following the investigation, Yepez was arrested on Tuesday and charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, kidnapping, and additional charges.
She is currently being held at the Benton County Jail with her bail set at $300,000, according to court records.
Corral was taken into custody on Thursday and is facing several conspiracy charges in connection to the scheme.
Her bail has been set at $250,000.
Investigators have also tied both women to similar alleged criminal activity in a nearby county, although specific details about those incidents have not been publicly released.
In a statement, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning to anyone using dating platforms, especially those that involve meeting in person.
Deputies believe the pair intended to rob the man, but the situation escalated and the victim was shot (Pictured: Alexa Montano)
‘Always meet in public and never isolate yourself until you are certain of the other person’s intentions,’ the statement read. ‘Trust your instincts, share your plans with a friend or family member, and take steps to stay safe.’
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not released the name of the victim, citing privacy and safety concerns.