The NYPD has shut down three topless bars in Queens after a two-month undercover investigation revealed that some of the bars’ strippers had also been working on the premises as prostitutes.
“We’re closing these places down because of prostitution,” said Sgt. Robert Grey of the NYPD’s legal team, who took part in the raids that lasted until about 3:30 a.m. Friday morning. “We have court orders to close each one.”
Cops said they padlocked the clubs because some strippers had solicited undercover officers for sex in the clubs’ VIP rooms, charging $60 for oral sex and $100 for intercourse.
One of the raided clubs, Club Nickels, even had a remote-controlled iron gate that was used to stop unwanted visitors – such as police – from getting into the private rooms.
The first raid was at Club Phenomenon on 90th Street in East Elmhurst, which was the site of three shootings this past year, including one that was fatal.
At about 10 p.m. on Thursday, a dozen cops, including five detectives from the Queens Vice Enforcement Squad, stormed into the club, turning on the house lights and shocking six strippers dancing onstage – some of whom shrieked before running into their dressing room.
No one was arrested.
Under the NYPD’s Nuisance Abatement Program, cops can obtain a court order to close down an establishment after first obtaining evidence that three violations have been committed on its premises, ranging in severity from noise complaints to prostitution.
The police gathered evidence of previous violations during earlier operations at the clubs. In those stings, some strippers were handcuffed and booked.
A few hours later at around 12:30 a.m. Friday, cops raided Dumbarton’s on Queens Plaza East.
The last place hit was Club Nickels on Queens Boulevard in Long Island City. At about 2 a.m., cops entered the place and discovered a staircase with a remote-controlled iron gate leading to a seedy den with two VIP rooms. Outside the private rooms was a table with hand and body lotion, moisturized wipes, hair gel and a tip jar.