After a three-month investigation, city vice cops busted and shut down two Westville establishments that neighbors have long suspected of prostitution.
The busts took place Saturday night around 11:30 p.m. at Star Sauna, 1358 Whalley Ave.; and Orange Sauna, 1299 Whalley Ave.
The police department’s Tactical Narcotics Unit had been probing the two joints after “receiving numerous complaints from area residents and business owners regarding prostitution at both establishments,” reported a release from police spokesman Officer Joe Avery. “Detectives were able to substantiate the allegations of prostitution, and were successful in closing both establishments. Numerous arrests were made, and more are expected.”
Charges include prostitution, promoting prostitution, and conspiracy.
Cops also took $30,000 in cash they believe came from prostitution.
Other incidents this weekend, according to Avery:
Cops arrested five men — from Shelton, Bridgeport, Milford, and Orange — for allegedly breaking the jaw, ribs and nose of a Newington man on the third floor of the Crown Street garage around 2 a.m. Saturday in a fight over a woman.
Police arrested a 36 year-old Sherman Parkway man Saturday night on gun and robbery charges after searching his apartment. They went there after four men claimed that, armed with a gun, he had entered a Monterey Place apartment where they’d been playing cards and stolen $1,000.
A search of a tan Altima at Grand Avenue and John Murphy Drive at around 1:55 a.m. Saturday turned up a stolen Smith and Wesson semiautomatic. Police arrested the two men inside the Altima; they claimed to know nothing about the gun.