Police say Framingham massage parlor staffed by prostitutes

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A New York woman ran a Rte. 30 massage parlor that was actually a front for prostitution, authorities said.
Framingham Police arrested Ping Du, 51, at the Lavender Spa, 27B Cochituate Road, on Thursday at 9:51 p.m. after an investigation, according to a police report filed in Framingham District Court on Friday.
On Thursday, police found references to the Lavender Spa on several websites. The websites indicated that the workers would perform a sex act during the massage, the report said.
During the day, police stopped and questioned two men who left the massage parlor. The report did not say what the men said, but due to the information they provided, officers arranged to have an undercover officer make an appointment for a massage.
"I told the woman on the phone I wanted a massage and she would also tell me it was going to be a good rub and that the girl was very pretty," the report said.
The officer went to the massage parlor at 9:45 p.m. and was greeted by Du and another woman. Du asked the officer to strip, and when he mentioned if she performed the sex act, she indicated she would. After paying her $60, the woman grabbed the officer's crotch, and other officers came in.
When officers tried to interview Du and the other woman, who had been speaking to them earlier, there was a "major language barrier," the report said.
Police charged Du with being a keeper of a house of prostitution and sexual conduct for a fee. Du's address is listed as 4055 Case St., Elmhurst, N.Y., but the report said Du actually lives at the massage parlor.
Du was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Framingham District Court, but the court could not get a Chinese interpreter. Judge Robert Greco said he doubted Du did not speak English, and accused of her of lying. Du did not respond.
Du was released without bail. She is due back in court on Dec. 26 to be arraigned.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date crime news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW.
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