CORONA, Queens (PIX 11) -- PIX11 News went inside an NYPD sting operation Friday as undercover detectives raided an alleged illegal brothel that police said was operating under the guise of a massage parlor in Corona.
On the inside of what appeared to be a massage parlor at 98-07 Roosevelt Avenue, NYPD officers found small, dimly lit rooms and three beds, revealing what they say is the business’s true nature.
“When we pulled up, we were met by applause and cheers because the people in this neighborhood are tired of seeing this type of behavior,” said Kaz Daughtry, NYPD Deputy Commissioner. “They’re tired of seeing scantily clad women walk up and down the block, aggressively asking people for sex.”
According to Daughtry, several months of investigation found that Chun’s Spa had long been operating as an illegal brothel despite being registered as an eatery with the city’s Department of Buildings.
“The department of buildings will do a work-on with that and see if we can do something to bate this place civilly and shut it down so this community doesn’t have to deal with this," said NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.
The alleged brothel, located steps away from a school, has raised concerns among residents and business owners, who are glad to see it shut down. Lelo Peregrina, who works at the nearby tattoo parlor Art Assassins, expressed relief, saying the alleged prostitution activity made customers hesitant to patronize the shop.
“Why would you want to come and get tatted there when you see that next door?” Peregrina said. He also added, “Especially at night. Imagine you out here getting harassed by random people like, 'Aye, come in here.’ You don’t want to be out here."
In the past six months, the NYPD says they have shut down 15-16 illegal brothels citywide, including a raid last week on another storefront in Jackson Heights.
Friday, officers arrested a man for soliciting prostitution. At the same time, a woman found working as a sex worker, believed to be a trafficking victim, will receive support services rather than face charges. Detectives are searching for the individual behind the operation and are committed to ensuring this brothel stays closed.
“If they do open up again, the desk officers at the precinct will send a police car here expeditiously to shut them back down again,” Daughtry said.
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