Sheriff’s department conducted an undercover sting at a Monterey
Road business
Gilroy – A prostitution ring operating as a massage parlor off Monterey Road was busted by Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies Thursday afternoon.
Anonymous citizens tipped police saying “the works” was being offered at a local salon. Deputies arrested 37-year-old Thu Ha Thi Tran on suspicion of soliciting for prostitution. Two other females in their 30s were cited for being in a known place of prostitution. The three were wearing short robes at the time, police said.
According to police, “New Shape Salon” opened about three to four weeks ago and started advertising its services in the Metro weekly and online.
“They say most businesses don’t make it within the first three years,” Deputy Serg Palanov said. “So we helped them out.”
The alleged prostitution ring was operating out of a home at 9685 Monterey Road adjacent to El Paso Storage and Mickeys RV Service.
The windows and doors of the white house are covered with wrought iron bars and when Dispatch reporters called the number above the door a Hispanic female answered asking, “Are you outside?”
She answered the door wearing a black bra and black mesh top, identifying herself as Rosa. She referred questions about the business to “the Chinese lady.”
Inside the home are two rooms with massage tables, towels and third room offering aroma therapy, police said. No customers were at the parlor at the time of the arrest.
As of press time Friday, police were uncertain whether Tran is the owner of the business or simply an employee.
Morgan Hill police arrested two San Jose women for prostitution in late April at Morgan Hill Tanning at 145 West Main Ave. The customers going to the tanning salon were mostly from out of town and had seen advertisements posted online and in newspapers, police said.
Some massage parlors where prostitution occurs have been linked to illegal human trafficking where the women are purchased as slaves and forced to perform sexual services.
“I don’t know if there’s a connection with this case,” Palanov said.
Despite Tran’s arrest, the business may still be operating.
“We don’t have the right to shut them down,” Palanov said. “I doubt (they’re still operating). They’d be stupid to do it.”
