by Anthony Rifilato
But for the past several months, the Grand Avenue business was allegedly operating a den of prostitution in its basement, and last week police arrested four people on prostitution charges.
Police said that Mr. Jay's, at 1933 Grand Avenue, had been under investigation for prostitution since early January after they received a tip from an unnamed source. Two undercover officers from the Narcotics/Vice Bureau busted two women for offering sexual services and two men for running the operation, apparently under the auspices of the thrift store, which is filled with vintage arcade games, old d.j. mixers, bicycles and various other items.
"It would appear that it's a front," said First Precinct Sgt. Michael O'Mara, who explained that despite the name, Mr. Jay's didn't sell any carpeting. Instead, police said, the business charged johns a fee and issued them tickets or passes to have sex with prostitutes in private rooms in the basement.
Police said an undercover officer had entered the store on Feb. 12 and was greeted by Hector Polanco, 52, of 1710 Popam Ave. in the Bronx. Police said Polanco had asked the officer if he wanted to go downstairs. The officer said yes and gave Polanco $40, after which he was escorted to the basement.
Police said the basement had been converted into private rooms. The officer was given a ticket, shown into one of the rooms and offered sex by a woman, Belinda Cano, 34, of 140-16 34th Ave. in Flushing, in exchange for the ticket and more money, depending on what sexual services were desired, police said.
It was then that Cano, Polanco, and another man, Maximo Almonte, 23, of 451 Fulton Ave. in Hempstead, who had given the officer the ticket, were arrested. Police said that Almonte was found to be in possession of a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, possibly cocaine. Cano and Polanco were charged with prostitution and third-degree promoting prostitution, and Almonte was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree promoting prostitution and prostitution.
Police said that a second undercover officer had gone through the same process and, once downstairs, was greeted by another woman, Dayanna Zuniga, 32, of 2270 Walton Ave. in the Bronx, who offered the officer sexual intercourse in exchange for his ticket and $30. She also was arrested and charged with prostitution and third-degree promoting prostitution.
They men and women were arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Feb. 13. Bail was set at $5,000 each for Polanco and Almonte, and they were scheduled to appear in Part Nine County Court in Mineola for felony crimes on Feb. 18. Bail was set at $150 each for Cano and Zuniga, and they were scheduled to appear in Part Eight District Court in Hempstead on Feb. 18.
One Mr. Jay's employee, who identified himself as the owner's nephew, said no arrests had been made for prostitution at the store and that he had heard nothing about the incident.
But police said that if the business were to engage in any more criminal activity, it would be shut down. "Certainly there will be a follow-up investigation," O'Mara said.
A spokesperson for the Town of Hempstead said that, typically, the Building Department would send a letter to the building's landlord stating that if another such incident occurred, the town would take steps to close the building or work with the landlord to remove the tenant. "Both the police and town keep a pretty close eye after incidents like that," said the spokesperson, adding that a letter would be sent to the landlord of 1933 Grand Ave.
The prostitution arrests come a little more than a year after the former Crow Bar nearby was shut down for similar illicit activity, as well as a massage parlor on Sunrise Highway.
"It seems to be a growing problem throughout the precinct," O'Mara said. He urged residents to contact the precinct with any information on suspicious activity, and explained that the Community Response Team, which deals with gangs, burglaries and other crimes, tries to address these issues before a community goes bad.
Local businesses said they were shocked by the apparent operation of a brothel. "It was going on next door and we had no idea," said Sabrina, who works at a salon next door to Mr. Jay's and wouldn't give her last name. "They must have kept it real quiet."
But several employees of Bella Luna Pizzeria, which is two stores away, said they had become suspicious in the past several weeks, especially after detectives had paid them a visit and asked questions, and after they observed some peculiar activity at Mr. Jay's.
One Bella Luna employee, who refused to give his name, said one Mr. Jay's employee had joked with him and offered him a $25 discount to be with one of the girls, but, he said, he brushed the playful comments aside. He said he believed Mr. Jay's had been operating the brothel for the past two months. "Sundays were very busy there -- a lot of activity, guys coming and going," the employee said.
