Suffolk cops shut illegal massage parlors

An undercover Suffolk police investigation aimed at bringing down illegal massage parlors suspected to be fronts for prostitution operations resulted in 41 arrests in the Sixth Precinct area over a nine-month period, authorities said Thursday.

As a result of "Operation Massage Parlor," massage businesses in Farmingville, Ronkonkoma, Centereach, Port Jefferson Station, Stony Brook, Middle Island, Coram and Holtsville closed down, and police said they confiscated cash, massage tables, bedding, towels, and assorted body oils and lotions.

The investigation and arrests began in June 2011 and ended earlier this week, but authorities said they intentionally kept a low profile on the operation so as not to warn other illegal massage parlors.

Lt. Michael S. Murphy, Sixth Precinct Crime Section commanding officer, said that while some of those arrested were charged with prostitution, most were charged with administering massages without a license, a more serious crime.

"Prostitution's a B misdemeanor," Murphy said. "Similar to your barber or hair stylist, it's a felony in New York State to perform a massage without a license, and we attacked the problem that way."

Those arrested at the 17 locations targeted by police included residents of Flushing, Elmhurst and College Point in Queens; Farmingville; and Rochester.