Five women were arrested on prostitution charges Thursday night after police raided two massage parlors less than a block from each other in southwest Reading, investigators said.
The women, ranging in age from 30 to 60 years old, were taken into custody without incident during simultaneous raids by city vice detectives about 7 at the Silver Spa, 1423 Lancaster Ave., and Osaka Therapeutic Spa, 10 McArthur Ave., authorities said.
Three women were arrested at Silver Spa, including two working as prostitutes and an older woman who was the madam, police said.
Two women working as prostitutes were arrested at Osaka, investigators said.
Police were trying to determine the identities of the women. Some had no identification papers, they said.
Police said they did not know if any of the women were in the country illegally, adding that the information likely will be sent to immigration authorities.
The women, all of whom are Asian, spoke limited English, police said.
All the women were awaiting arraignment late Thursday in Reading Central Court on prostitution and conspiracy charges.
A male customer in one of the businesses when it was raided was not arrested, police said. It was not clear which one he was in.
Investigators said at least a half-dozen vehicles pulled up at each establishment while detectives were searching the properties, but all left when they noticed the police.
"They were both doing a brisk business," Sgt. Damond M. Kloc of the vice and narcotics section said of the businesses. "They don't operate as advertised.
"If customers aren't comfortable approaching the business when police are there, I think we've answered some questions about what's going on there."
Kloc said the businesses promoted themselves as offering massages but really were offering sex for about $160 per visit.
Police did not immediately know who owns the properties.
According to investigators:
Both businesses had lobby areas and back rooms stocked with towels, condoms and lubricants. Both also had surveillance systems with exterior and interior cameras.
Customers would enter and press a button to be let into the waiting area.
From there they would meet one of the prostitutes and negotiate a price for a sexual service.
The owner of the operation would take a cut of each customer's payment.
Police received complaints about the businesses from neighbors and then used informants during the investigation. No police posed as customers.
Kloc did not know how long the businesses operated.
Police said they seized records, cash and other items.
The women, ranging in age from 30 to 60 years old, were taken into custody without incident during simultaneous raids by city vice detectives about 7 at the Silver Spa, 1423 Lancaster Ave., and Osaka Therapeutic Spa, 10 McArthur Ave., authorities said.
Three women were arrested at Silver Spa, including two working as prostitutes and an older woman who was the madam, police said.
Two women working as prostitutes were arrested at Osaka, investigators said.
Police were trying to determine the identities of the women. Some had no identification papers, they said.
Police said they did not know if any of the women were in the country illegally, adding that the information likely will be sent to immigration authorities.
The women, all of whom are Asian, spoke limited English, police said.
All the women were awaiting arraignment late Thursday in Reading Central Court on prostitution and conspiracy charges.
A male customer in one of the businesses when it was raided was not arrested, police said. It was not clear which one he was in.
Investigators said at least a half-dozen vehicles pulled up at each establishment while detectives were searching the properties, but all left when they noticed the police.
"They were both doing a brisk business," Sgt. Damond M. Kloc of the vice and narcotics section said of the businesses. "They don't operate as advertised.
"If customers aren't comfortable approaching the business when police are there, I think we've answered some questions about what's going on there."
Kloc said the businesses promoted themselves as offering massages but really were offering sex for about $160 per visit.
Police did not immediately know who owns the properties.
According to investigators:
Both businesses had lobby areas and back rooms stocked with towels, condoms and lubricants. Both also had surveillance systems with exterior and interior cameras.
Customers would enter and press a button to be let into the waiting area.
From there they would meet one of the prostitutes and negotiate a price for a sexual service.
The owner of the operation would take a cut of each customer's payment.
Police received complaints about the businesses from neighbors and then used informants during the investigation. No police posed as customers.
Kloc did not know how long the businesses operated.
Police said they seized records, cash and other items.