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Waukesha police arrest four workers in prostitution sting operation

Posted at 8:14 AM, Dec 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-14 19:00:11-05
WAUKESHA -- Waukesha police are investigating three different massage parlors they say have become popular prostitution hot spots.

"The interesting thing about these investigations is that these massage parlors are legitimate massage parlors," Waukesha Police Sergeant Jerry Habanek said. "Some of the people went there for a legitimate massage."

Over the summer, Habanek said several people called in tips to Crime Stoppers alleging sexual acts were taking place inside the massage parlors.

"We began physical surveillance and started watching people coming and going from the parlors," Habanek said. "We noticed they were busy and that a lot of men attended these massage parlors."

Police then posed as customers.

"We sent in undercover investigators to see if they could get sexual favors for money and every one of them was able to do that," Habanek said.

Police executed search warrants this month at the following massage parlors:

  • Sweet Thai Massage, 127 W. Sunset Drive
  • Far East Healing Spa, 1405 Summit Ave.
  • Lilac Massage: 2442 N. Grandview Blvd.

Police also executed a search warrant at a home where some of the massage parlor employees lived.

Habanek confirms none of the arrests involve the owners of the massage parlors.

Two of the three facilities are owned by the same individual, who TODAY'S TMJ4 is not naming because no charges have been filed.

Police say all four women arrested have been released pending official charges from the Waukesha County District Attorney's Office.

All three businesses were not open Wednesday and calls for comment went unanswered.