Police Sting Nets 28 for Soliciting

San Diego police arrested 28 men--including a Navy company commander--for solicitation late Friday and early Saturday in an undercover sting operation in what authorities called a troublesome downtown neighborhood.

The men, between the ages of 19 and 50, were taken into custody after they solicited sex from one of several plain-clothes female police officers taking part in the sting, said Sgt. Chuck Peck.

The suspects ranged in occupation from a paving contractor and cook to a landscaper and six military personnel, including the Navy commander, officials said.

Four vehicles were also impounded after the drivers were found to have suspended licenses.

Police launched the sting operation after residents and business people complained that strangers had centered on the area to solicit for prostitution. Several women who lived and worked in the area said that they had been solicited while walking on the street.

To date, the largest number of arrests from such a San Diego police sting operation is 105. The total number of men arrested so far this year for solicitation through stings is 548, officials said.

Police said the stings would continue in the area.