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Town of Clarkstown and Clarkstown Police Investigate Local Spas Amid Allegations of Unlicensed Massages and Prostitution

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1 year ago

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Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and Police Chief Jeff Wanamaker announce the Town of Clarkstown and the Clarkstown Police Department have launched an enforcement initiative to crack down on illegal massage parlors operating within the Town. This initiative aims to address violations of local town codes, human trafficking concerns, and illicit activities associated with unlicensed establishments. The town is taking unprecedented action, expanding on the police investigative efforts, by filing actions in the State Supreme Court to seek the permanent closure of these illegal business locations.
Supervisor George Hoehmann stated, “We are committed to ensuring that all businesses in our town operate within the law and uphold the safety and well-being of our residents. Illegal massage parlors often serve as fronts for human trafficking and other illicit activities, and we will not tolerate these operations in our community.”
Beginning in October 2024, the Clarkstown Police Department, through the efforts of our Street Crime Unit, initiated investigations into a number of local businesses that were advertised as spas in the Town of Clarkstown. These investigations stemmed from several concerns raised by local residents regarding possible unlicensed massages and allegations of prostitution occurring within these establishments.
Through diligent efforts and ongoing surveillance, the Clarkstown Police Street Crime Unit was able to identify and apprehend individuals involved in these illicit activities.
As a result, the following individuals were arrested on multiple charges related to their involvement in these operations:
• 51 year old female from Queens, NY—Arrested on two separate dates in October 2024 at Oasis—Happy Spa, 46 Lake Road, Congers
• 59 year old female from Fort Lee, NJ—Arrested in November 2024 at HNS Spa, 159 Route 304, Bardonia
• 58 year old female from Queens, NY—Arrested in November 2024 at HNS Spa, 159 Route 304, Bardonia
• 54 year old female from Forestdale, Massachusetts—Arrested on two separate dates in January 2025 at Oasis Spa, 46 Lake Road, Congers
• 41 year old female from Fort Lee, NJ—Arrested in January 2025 at Nanuet Day Spa, 344 West Route 59, Nanuet
• 45 year old female from Queens, NY—Arrested in February 2025 at Great King Spa, 16 Route 9W, Congers
• 50 year old female from Palisades Park, NJ—Arrested in February 2025 at Maggie Spa, Route 59, Nyack.
All defendants have been issued appearance tickets, with the requirement to return to the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court for further proceedings.
Chief of Police Jeffrey Wanamaker stated, “We would like to extend our gratitude to the community members who brought their concerns to our attention, enabling us to take swift and decisive action. These arrests underscore the vital role of community involvement in identifying and addressing unlawful activities. The Clarkstown Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents. Our Street Crime Unit will continue its diligent work in investigating and preventing illegal activities, preserving the integrity of local businesses, and protecting our community.”
These recent investigations conducted by the Clarkstown Police Department have uncovered multiple businesses operating without proper licensing and engaging in unlawful activities. As part of this effort, Code Enforcement officers and Town attorneys are also issuing citations, and taking necessary legal actions against non-compliant establishments.
Town Attorneys are in court with the landlords for injunctive relief to immediately shut down the illegal operations and remove them from the premises as they constitute an ongoing public nuisance.
In addition, they will be taken to Clarkstown Justice Court for the following violations of town codes: noncompliance for operating without a certificate of occupancy, license required for the massage license law, public nuisance, and zoning violations as brothels are not permitted.
“We will continue to take action against those who seek to exploit and operate outside the law,” said Supervisor George Hoehmann. Hoehmann praised the town’s aggressive code enforcement operation and police department for their efforts and lauded Clarkstown’s code enforcement strategy as a model for the state.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious businesses or activities to the Town through its My Clarkstown App or calling the non-emergency police number at 845-639-5800.
The Clarkstown Police Department would like to reiterate that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Spring Valley Man Arrested After Body Found in Parking Lot, Ramapo Police Say

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13 hours ago

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April 21, 2026

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SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — The Town of Ramapo Police Department has arrested a man following the discovery of a body in a parking lot Saturday morning.

Officers responded around 7:15 a.m. on April 18 to 18 Park Avenue in the South Spring Valley section of Ramapo. They found a 30-year-old man’s body beneath a parked pickup truck.

Police said the parked vehicle was not involved.

Investigators from the department’s Investigations Unit and Crash Investigation Unit launched a joint investigation. They reviewed surveillance footage, conducted interviews, and collected evidence.

Later that day, officers identified and located a suspect vehicle in Chestnut Ridge.

Police arrested Manuel Milton Yantalema Parco, 36, of Spring Valley.

He is charged with:

  • Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death (D felony)
  • Concealment of a human corpse (E felony)
  • Tampering with physical evidence (E felony)

Police say the incident happened during the early morning hours. Investigators believe the victim was struck by a vehicle and dragged.

According to authorities, the suspect then drove into the parking lot. The victim was removed from the vehicle and placed beneath a parked pickup truck.

The defendant was arraigned in Ramapo Justice Court. Bail was set at $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond.

He was remanded to the Rockland County Jail and is awaiting a future court appearance.

Police said the incident appears to be isolated. There is no ongoing threat to the public.

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Crime

Attempted Murder Arrest After Barbershop Shooting in Ramapo; Suspect in Custody

Published

3 days ago

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April 18, 2026

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Police in Ramapo have arrested a suspect in connection with a late-night shooting that left a man seriously injured.

According to the Ramapo Police Department, officers responded around 10:30 p.m. on April 17, 2026, to reports of gunfire at Veloz Barbershop. When officers arrived, they found a 59-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Emergency responders from Rockland Paramedics and Spring Hill Ambulance treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to Westchester Medical Center. Officials said he is currently listed in stable condition.

Authorities said the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle but was later located by a patrol unit from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office near 150 West Eckerson Road. Responding Ramapo officers took the 50-year-old man into custody without incident.

The Spring Valley Police Department and New York State Police assisted at the scene. Investigators later recovered both the vehicle believed to have been used in the incident and the firearm at a separate location, with help from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The suspect has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and criminal use of a firearm. He was arraigned before Judge Silva, who set bail at $750,000 cash, $900,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. The defendant was remanded to the Rockland County Jail pending a future court appearance.

Police said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

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