VALPARAISO | Two employees of Oriental Pain Management massage parlor in Valparaiso were arrested on prostitution-related charges Wednesday after undercover police officers went in and said they were offered more than massages.
Arrested were Min Ye, 46, and Wendy Yao, age not listed.
Police said that on Jan. 12, they received a complaint about the massage parlor, at 823 Lincolnway, across from the Porter hospital parking garage. Police said a woman went there to get a foot massage and was not allowed inside even though the sign stated that walk-ins were welcome. The woman told police she heard a man moaning in a "definitely sexual" manner inside the business.
Valparaiso police, assisted by the undercover Porter County Drug Task Force, went in Tuesday and Wednesday and said the employees took steps to initiate sexual fondling.
Police said the massage parlor advertised via a sign in front of the business and online -- including a listing on an escort Web page.
Valparaiso Police Chief Michael Brickner said anytime police find evidence that sexual activity is occurring at a massage parlor, their goal is to arrest those who are breaking the law and to shut down the business.
"That's our goal with this establishment, to cease their operations," Brickner said.
"This isn't the type of business or activity we want in our community."
Brickner hopes Wednesday's arrests show police will fully investigate anytime they receive a tip about a massage businesses offering sex acts. He said people are encouraged to report any other questionable businesses.
In 2007, massage therapists at Suki spa and Natural Healing Massage Therapy in Valparaiso were arrested on prostitution charges after investigations similar to the one conducted this week. In 2003, police raided King's Spa in Valparaiso and arrested two women on prostitution charges. But the business later reopened as Suki.
Barbara Lis, vice chairwoman of the Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy, said Indiana recently began certifying massage therapists, a move she said is helping to weed out people who use massage therapy as a front for prostitution.
