Two employees of a massage parlor on Route 1 were arrested last week following weeks of surveillance and undercover police work.
By: Matthew Armstrong
Weeks of surveillance and undercover police work resulted in the arrest of two employees of a massage parlor on Route 1 Friday and the closure of the business because of alleged prostitution.
Police executed a search warrant on Health Guiding Offices Inc. in Wynwood Office Plaza, arresting the two women and confiscating cash and property. The business was under surveillance for several weeks due to reports of illicit activities on the premises, police said.
"We received several tips about some illegal activity going on there," said Patrol Officer Jim Ryan.
On Friday, two undercover officers entered the business and were approached separately by the two women, police said. The women offered the undercover officers sexual favors for money, police said.
Karen McCauley, 35, of South River was charged with prostitution and released. A disorderly persons charge of prostitution carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail if convicted, police said.
Jie Qu, 36, of Richmond Hills, N.Y., was charged with promoting prostitution and was transferred to Middlesex County Adult Correction Center on $1,500 bail. If convicted she faces a maximum penalty of three years in jail. Ms. Qu received a more severe charge because during all surveillance and undercover police work Ms. Qu was present and had possession of money when the search warrant was executed, police said.
Police have not determined the owner of the business.
This is the second time in the past two years police have investigated a business in the Wynwood Office Plaza for alleged prostitution.