April 4, 2014 – Mostly at hotels in River North, Chicago police have conducted 32 “sting” operations this year, all but five resulting in an arrest for soliciting for prostitution.

Five operations were conducted in January, thirteen in February, and fourteen in March. Most of the arrests in March were at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Michigan Mile at 540 North Michigan Avenue. Seven arrests were made there on March 20 between 9 p.m. and 11:50 p.m.

The first of the arrests was in room 1725. When an undercover police officer called in response to an ad, a woman answered and asked what he wanted and for how long. He was given a price for one hour and instructed to send by text message his address and room number. He received a text back saying “C U Soon.”

When the woman arrived at about 8:50 p.m., she looked around “to make sure things were safe,” according to the police report, checking the bathroom and closet. Then she sat on the bed and asked for the “donation,” which the officer slipped into her stockings before calling in backup officers and arresting her.

Of the nine hotels involved in the stings, all are north the Loop and six are in River North.

 Downtown Chicago Crime Report: Prostitution – Call Operations in 42nd Ward since 2002