Minooka woman charged with prostitution after July 6 undercover investigation at Tinley Park massage parlor
TINLEY PARK, Ill. — A 54-year-old Minooka woman was charged with prostitution Friday, July 8, after allegedly offering to perform a sexual act on an undercover police officer during an investigation at Best-1 Massage and Nail Spa, 16902 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.
Liwei Yang, who is scheduled to appear at the Bridgeview courthouse in late August, was arrested on Wednesday, July 6, during a joint investigation conducted by Tinley Park police and the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department Vice Unit.
Tinley Park Police Chief Matthew Walsh said police had received complaints about the business, but that visits to the business were unsuccessful.
“This place had curtains up and wouldn’t answer the door, especially if the police showed up,” Walsh said. “Those are signs.”
Tinley Park police reached out to the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department to have its Vice Unit investigate. During their research, investigators found information online stating sexual acts “were allowable” at the massage parlor, Walsh said.
On July 6, the undercover officer visited the business and asked for a massage. Once inside, police allege Yang offered to perform a sexual act for an additional $50 — prompting police to enter the business and make the arrest.
Walsh said Tinley Park police regularly check massage parlors for licenses.
“Any time there is a complaint like this, we act on it,” he said. “They do pop up from time to time, and we just try to keep on it.”
As a result of the investigation and arrest, the Village closed the massage parlor. When asked if it would be allowed to reopen at any point, Tinley Park Village Manager Patrick Carr responded that “we will be meeting this week on the incident.”