Police Serve Search Warrant at Suspected San Leandro Brothel

SAN LEANDRO, CA — Police on Thursday shut down what they say was a brothel operating inside a San Leandro residence. Officers with the San Leandro Police Department on Thursday served a search warrant at 338 Aloha Dr. Police said they received complaints regarding suspected illegal activities at the house.

Earlier in the week, detectives located internet advertising on a website known to be used by people looking to engage in prostitution, police said. An undercover detective was able to communicate with a woman via text messages who agreed to perform sex acts for $160 and gave the detective the address of the residence on Aloha Drive, police said.

Detectives conducted surveillance on the residence Thursday morning and observed several suspected "Johns" come and go from the house, police said. Detectives served a search warrant Thursday afternoon and took three women into custody as the women tried to flee the house, police said. The women were arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest, police said.

Police also located a man and woman inside the residence. The man told investigators he was there for a massage, police said.

Each room in the residence had a mattress on the floor, a small table with condoms and lubricants on it, a sheet covering the window and a suitcase filled mostly with women's lingerie, police said. Police seized approximately $1,500 in cash from the residence.

Police said they learned one of the women at the residence had arrived from China less than a week ago and came to San Leandro to engage in illegal prostitution. Detectives are continuing to investigate if there was human trafficking or other crimes occurring at the residence.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone