Prostitution investigation results in 11 arrests

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - On July 12, members of the Ocean Township Police Detective Bureau and Special Assignment Unit made 11 arrests in connection with prostitution-related offenses at two separate massage parlor establishments located on Route 35 in the township.

The arrests were the result of an ongoing investigation into the Ocean Day Spa, Route 35 north of Deal Road, and the Sea Day Spa, Route 35 and Herbert Avenue.

At the Ocean Day Spa, the following persons were arrested: Zheoyai Piao, 44, Xianghua Piao, 29, and Li Hua Zi, 41, all of Flushing, N.Y. All were charged with promoting prostitution and maintaining a nuisance by maintaining a house of prostitution. They were later released on criminal summonses.

Also arrested were a 36-year-old male from Clifton, a 22-year-old male from Ocean Township, and a 45-year-old male from Howell Township. All three were charged with engaging in prostitution and were later released on criminal summonses.

Police also seized $3,088 in cash from the Ocean Day Spa as criminal proceeds under state criminal forfeiture guidelines. In addition, several credit card receipts were also seized as evidence and will be used to further the investigation. Detective Lt. Steven R. Peters and Detectives Gregory Tongring and Gregory Schenck conducted the operation at the Ocean Day Spa.

At the Sea Day Spa, the following persons were arrested: Ying Shu Zheng, 52, Shun Yu Quan, 41, and Zi Cui Zhen, 44, all of Flushing, N.Y. All were charged with promoting prostitution and maintaining a nuisance by maintaining a house of prostitution. They were later released on criminal summonses.

Also arrested were a 42-year-old male from Howell Township and a 48-year-old male from Ocean Township. Both were charged with engaging in prostitution and were later released on criminal summonses. Police also seized $1,128 in cash from the Sea Day Spa as criminal proceeds under state criminal forfeiture guidelines. In addition, several credit card receipts were also seized as evidence and will be used to further the investigation. Sgt. Charles Weinkofsky, Detective Timothy Torchia and Officer William Crosta conducted the operation at the Sea Day Spa.