100 Men Arrested in Van Nuys Prostitution Sweep

Policewomen posing as prostitutes along Sepulveda Boulevard in Van Nuys arrested more than 100 men ranging in age from 16 to 70, including a former sheriff’s deputy on parole for rape, who tried to hire them for sex, Los Angeles police said Saturday.

The overnight operation, which began late Friday and ended early Saturday, was the latest in a series of police crackdowns aimed at controlling prostitution in Van Nuys by arresting potential customers.

Residents have complained that although the area had been cleared of street-walking prostitutes, men in search of sex frequently harass other women in the neighborhood.

“We have reports of women walking to the store, girls from Sepulveda Junior High, housewives and others all being harassed,” Sgt. Paul Haberman said.

The police task force stationed undercover female officers at Rayen Street and Sepulveda Boulevard and at Archwood Street and Sepulveda Boulevard from 4 p.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Saturday.

Among those arrested were five teen-agers, the youngest 16 years old, and a 70-year-old man, Haberman said.

A former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, who claimed to be a member of the force, was also arrested, he said. The former deputy was on parole for a rape conviction.

The task force also arrested 40 people suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and three people on drug charges, he said.