4 women offered illegal massages, Colonie police say - Albany Times Union

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Photo: Colonie Police


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Zhifang Lu, 40, of Colonie (Provided)


Zhifang Lu, 40, of Colonie (Provided)

Photo: Colonie Police

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Yafen Liu, 56, of Flushing (Provided)


Yafen Liu, 56, of Flushing (Provided)

Photo: Colonie Police

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Suhua Dai, 56, of Flushing (Provided)


Suhua Dai, 56, of Flushing (Provided)

Photo: Colonie Police

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Weigong Gu, 42, of Flushing (Provided)


Weigong Gu, 42, of Flushing (Provided)

Photo: Colonie Police

4 women offered illegal massages, Colonie police say


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COLONIE — Four women accused of operating illegal massage parlors inside Central Avenue motels and businesses were arrested May 24, town police said.


The sting was carried out by town, state and federal law enforcement as part of an ongoing investigation into unlicensed masseurs who advertise sexual services online, Colonie police spokesman Lt. Robert Winn said.


Officers arrested 40-year-old Zhifang Lu of Colonie inside the Howard Johnson Inn at 1614 Central Ave. and 58-year-old Yafen Liu of Flushing inside the Econo Lodge at 1630 Central Ave.


Evidence suggesting prostitution was found inside both motel rooms, Winn said. The two women also advertised illicit services online, he said.


Lu and Liu are each charged with one count of misdemeanor criminal nuisance for allegedly maintaining a premises for unlawful means.


Officers also arrested 56-year-old Suhua Dai of Flushing at 1843 Central Ave., which is the location of Green Garden Asian Spa, and 42-year-old Weigong Gu of Flushing inside U.S. Beauty Supplies at 1234 Central Ave.


Dai and Gu are each charged with one count of misdemeanor unauthorized acts for allegedly offering massage services without a license.


Gu is also charged with misdemeanor prostitution for allegedly offering sexual services to an undercover police officer.


The probe represents a partnership between the Colonie police, State Police, state Department of Homeland Security and federal Department of Justice.


A DOJ interpreter helped police interview all four women. None of them indicated they had been trafficked or forced into the profession, Winn said.


"It's not something we specifically target because it's all behind closed doors," Winn said.


The lieutenant added that investigating prostitution is more complicated and labor intensive when it's advertised on the internet and taking place inside motels or businesses, as opposed to a street corner.


Sending an undercover officer into a motel room alone can be "a dangerous situation," Winn said.


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