Anonymous Tip Leads to Prostitution Busts

Three alleged prostitutes were arrested from three motels and hotels in Wayne on Wednesday, bringing an end to a joint operation between the Passaic County Sheriff’s and the Wayne Police Department called Operation Police Escort.

The operation stemmed from anonymous crime tips posted on the Wayne Township Web site.

The complaints were allegations of acts of prostitution being performed within the establishments, which were being advertised in the adult services section of several social networking Web sites. Police did not release the names or addresses of the hotels and motels where the alleged acts took place.

Wayne Police Chief John Reardon could not be reached for comment.

During the operation, detectives were able to access the online advertisements and schedule dates with the alleged prostitutes, who operated out of several hotel and motel establishments in Wayne, the sheriff’s office said in a press release. 

Upon arriving at the specific rooms, an undercover detective was met by an alleged prostitute, who had solicited a sexual act from the officer for a monetary fee.

Marinete Vitorino, 41, of Newark, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.

Iris Martinez Rodrigues, 39, of Elizabeth, was charged with solicitation of prostitution and possession of a counterfeit government alien registration card.

Alexandra Leslie, 26, of East Orange, was charged with solicitation of prostitution. She also had an outstanding warrant out of East Orange.

“It is essential that crimes such as prostitution are investigated and the individuals responsible are arrested,” said Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik. “If crimes of this nature are allowed to continue, it could foster even more serious criminal activity. It is my hope that the Sheriff’s Department will continue to do operations of this nature with the Wayne Township Police Department targeting prostitution and other quality of life issues.”