Robbery Report Leads to Suspected Brothel

Police responding to a robbery complaint discovered a suspected brothel where undocumented Thai women were peddling sex to a predominantly Asian clientele, detectives said Wednesday.

Seven women in their 20s and a man who police believe ran the place were put in custody of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service officials, who are investigating.

“We’re seeing more and more of these cases,” Det. Tom Rackleff said.

In the past three months, Rackleff said, police have found three residential bordellos where women who had entered the country illegally worked as prostitutes.

About 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a robbery call at a three-bedroom apartment in the 13700 block of Pine Street.

“There was a lot of confusion,” Rackleff said. “The residents then denied that a robbery even took place. They said they had dialed [911] by mistake.”

While searching for robbery suspects or victims, the officers found a large number of condoms scattered near mattresses in the bedrooms and other evidence indicating the apartment was being used for prostitution, Rackleff said.

He said the women staying at the home apparently had arrived from Thailand two to three months ago. The women did not appear to have been held against their will, police said.