Body Rub Parlour Raid in Windsor

January 28, 2010

Report by Don Lajoie, in the Windsor Star, 27 Jan 2010:

http://www.windsorstar.com/sports/2010wintergames/Windsor+police+raid+body+parlour+Gladstone/2487919/story.html

Calling it the first time they?ve shut down a body rub parlour on a residential street, Windsor police officers raided a suspected common bawdy house in the 1100 block of Gladstone Avenue Tuesday night.

Det. Paul Jean, of the police morality unit, said four young women between the ages of 18 and 21 were taken into custody just after 6:30 p.m., following a raid that had been in the planning stages for more than a month. He said the women face charges of being found-ins or inmates of a common bawdy house when they are arraigned in the next day or two.

Two other suspects, who were not at the scene at the time of the raid, are still sought by police. They are suspected of keeping a common bawdy house.

Jean said police are seeking a 25-year-old female and a 42-year-old male. The names of all the accused will not be released until they have appeared in court, he said.

There were no johns or customers on the premises at the time of the raid.

The raid took place at 1128 Gladstone, a 11⁄2-storey, white brick single family dwelling which neighbours said had recently been sold.

Shortly after officers entered the dwelling a police van pulled up and the women, dressed in jeans and winter coats, were loaded into the rear and taken away.

Jean said the house had been under investigation since the summer after neighbours ? suspecting drug trafficking or a crack house ? complained about frequent visitors to the address, often at odd hours.

But investigation revealed a website advertising that the business offered ?tantric massage by nude women.?

Jean said the website offered detailed descriptions of services offered, promising sexual pleasure and complete with a musical soundtrack. He said the women were described as ?sexy college coeds,? but he did not know if they were affiliated with any university, college or school in the area.

?They had a pretty good setup,? said Jean. ?It was a regular home with converted bedrooms for massage and a common waiting area. There was a lot of traffic noticed over time.?

Jean said officers seized an undisclosed amount of cash and found a menu which itemized such services as 45 minutes for $90, 70 minutes for $130 and 90 minutes for $200. It also offered a special ?couples section? that advertised services for couples for between $200 and $500 for a ?90-minute pleasure package for two.?

?Then in fine print it said ?a light snack of cheese, salad and a fruit platter will be served with a nice glass of wine,?? said jean.

He said officers also uncovered information that suggests there may be similar establishments in other neighbourhoods. He invited anyone who may notice suspicious activity on their block to call police or Crime Stoppers.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be identified, said she wondered whether it was drugs or prostitution when the police arrived and was not surprised at the arrests.

Another man, who gave his name as Bob and said he lived in the vicinity, said he would not suspect that kind of activity in the neighbourhood but that nothing is surprising anymore.

?I wouldn?t say shocked,? he said. ?They?ll do anything these days. But, hey, there are kids living around here.?

Jean said officers began to canvass the area Tuesday night but few of the neighbours seemed willing to talk.

He said investigators will return Wednesday to question possible witnesses. The investigation continues.