On Thursday, July 18, the Mansfield Police Department Special Investigative Unit (SIU) conducted a prostitution sting after receiving numerous complaints of prostitution related activity in the area surrounding W. Third Street and N. Benton Avenue.
The Special Investigative Unit utilized undercover confidential informants and undercover police officers to make two arrests for Soliciting Prostitution. In addition to the arrests for Soliciting Prostitution, The Special Investigative Unit also seized Marijuana that was found on one of the individuals after he was arrested.
One individual was incarcerated at the Richland County Jail pending his appearance in court for Soliciting Prostitution and Possession of Marijuana. The other individual, a juvenile male, was issued a summons for Soliciting Prostitution and released to the custody of his mother. METRICH Enforcement Unit Section Sergeant Joseph D. Petrycki stated “The Mansfield Police Department takes the issue of prostitution as well as everything else that comes with it very seriously and encourages the public to continue to call in complaints of prostitution and drug related activity.”Citizens are encouraged to be proactive by reporting suspected prostitution and drug related activity by calling the METRICH crime tip hotline at 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or 419-755-9728.