9 arrested in undercover prostitution sting in NW Harris County
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- During the second week of the New Year, January 2017, investigators with Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman's Office conducted an undercover prostitution sting near Cypress Creek Parkway and Kuykendahl Road.
As a result of the operation, nine individuals were arrested and charged for offenses ranging from misdemeanor prostitution to felony possession of various controlled substances including heroin and cocaine. One of the men arrested for prostitution was also wanted on nine Class C warrants. Another man had an open felony robbery warrant out of Minnesota.
During the bust, one of the men was arrested while soliciting an investigator with his 7-year-old daughter in the car with him. The child was safely returned to the mother and Child Protective Services will further investigate the little girl's living conditions.
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"The goal of these and similar operations is to dampen and ultimately eliminate the blatant prostitution on the streets near our neighborhoods and business districts of Harris County Precinct 4" said Constable Mark Herman.
Barbara Thomason is the president of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce. She said she is glad to hear police made arrests.
"We're thrilled that they've made the arrests," Thomason said. "They do a lot with what they have to work with."
Thomason said she encourages citizens to report suspicious activity to police.
"While we know that they patrol the major common areas and commercial areas, we feel like we need maybe special attention in hot spots from time to time," Thomason said.
Thomason has high hopes for the Cypress Creek Community, which she said includes about 550,000 residents. She said one volunteer raised thousands of dollars to landscape 8.5 miles of the median along Cypress Creek Parkway.
She said families move to the area for a sense of freedom.
"They have a sort of freedom, less business regulation, that's what our community is about. We tend to do things the grassroots way because we don't have a mayor and a town council to make those things happen," Thomason said.
Thomason wants to dissuade criminals from choosing Cypress Creek Community.
"We just want to be the last place a criminal wants to go to do their work," Thomason said.
To report illegal prostitution or other unlawful activities, citizens can go to www.cd4.hctx.net, click on "On-Line Services", and then click on "Regulatory Violation". Complainants can remain anonymous if they choose.
