By a 5-0 vote on Monday night, members of the Escalon City Council unanimously revoked the business license for Lucky Spa, operating in the 2200 block of Jackson Ave., after an undercover police operation at the location.

Escalon Police said that on Tuesday, Sept. 3, in response to complaints from citizens about suspected prostitution being conducted at the business, an undercover investigation was conducted.

“During the operation, the undercover decoy entered the business, and during his contact was able to arrange an exchange of money for sexual services, in violation of the California Penal Code,” police noted. “Subsequently during the arrest and inspection of the establishment, numerous violations of the city municipal code were also discovered.”

Escalon Police Chief Mike Borges said a volunteer with the department, a recent graduate of the police academy, was used as the decoy.

Two women were arrested on the scene, including a 34-year-old from Oakland and a 42-year-old from San Leandro. The 34-year-old was arrested for “keeping a house of ill fame,” said Borges, while the 42-year-old was arrested for prostitution and residing at the business location.

The business owner had the opportunity to appear before the council on Monday night, Sept. 16 prior to the panel considering revocation of the business license and she said that Lucky Spa was open as a “legal business” in the community. The owner brought a translator with her, who read from a prepared statement.

Borges said there were multiple violations, such as not having required certificates for massage therapists, employee misconduct, using advertising with sexually suggestive images and more, that were part of the reasoning behind seeking the license revocation.

“The case has been submitted to the District Attorney,” Borges added.

With councilman Jeff Laugero making the motion to revoke the business license, councilman Walt Murken provided the second and all council members voted in favor of the revocation.