Prospect Heights shuts dance studio targeted in prostitution sting
Prospect Heights city officials have closed a local dance studio, claiming it was a front for a prostitution operation, authorities said Thursday.
Police raided New Dance Expressions, 65 E. Palatine Road, last week, arresting two female employees on charges of prostitution after a monthlong investigation.
The joint investigation by Cook County Sheriff's Department and Prospect Heights Police was a result of numerous complaints received by the Prospect Heights Police Department. In early March, the department requested help from the sheriff's police for an undercover sting.
"We shut them down Tuesday under the zoning orders of the city," Prospect Heights Police Chief Bruce Morris said.
Phone calls made to New Dance Expressions were routed to a different spa that gives "erotic massages," according to the woman who answered the phone. The owner of both spas did not return calls Thursday.
New Dance Expressions has been in Prospect Heights since June 8, 2005. Its original lease with SLS Management Inc., was later taken over by MC Management of Bridgeview, which owns the entire complex. No one there could be reached for comment.
"We have been in contact with the owner and management company and they have been advised of all of our actions," said Steve Skiber, Prospect Heights director of building and zoning.
The city issued an order, now posted at the business, stating use of a premises for prostitution is not allowed anywhere in Prospect Heights, and adult uses are not allowed in the B-3 zoning district, Skiber said.
Skiber said city officials have not heard from anyone with New Dance Expressions.
In last week's sting, police charged Veronica Rodriguez, 21, of the 1100 block of Hecker Court, Elgin, with two counts of prostitution, and Marisol Rodriguez, 37, of the 8100 block of N. Odell in Niles, with one count of prostitution. The two women are not related, police said.
Police said visitors would pay $80 to enter the building and were then led to a private room where they were supposed to get a private dance from a female employee. Instead, on multiple occasions, undercover officers were offered sex in exchange for cash, police said.
The women posted bond and are to appear April 29 in Rolling Meadows.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=283384">Police say dance studio was prostitution front <span class="date">[04/01/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>