In a rare event, Salt Lake police busted a house of prostitution over the weekend, police said.
Eight were arrested in the sting, including women who police said had worked as prostitutes in other states.
Salt Lake Police Capt. Scott Atkinson said police learned of the operation and sent two undercover police officers Friday night to 922 S. Pueblo.
Although the madam had fled, police located a customer and women in a closet frantically getting dressed. Police arrested two women, ages 46 and 20, who were brought here for the work.
Atkinson said one came from Denver, where a similar raid cut short her career there.
Apparently, the female business owner found her clientele by having two male assistants drive her through neighborhoods. The male employees passed out fliers that advertised the business and included a map. Police have seized the fliers as evidence.
Atkinson said the business had only been in operation for a couple of weeks before the word spread to police.
In addition to the two prostitutes, police arrested two men inside who served as "bouncers" and the promoters of the business.
Four male customers, whom Atkinson identified as undocumented immigrants, were arrested as well.
Atkinson said houses of prostitution are relatively rare in Salt Lake City. As far as Atkinson could recall, there has only been one other bust like this, in the past five years.
Neighbors are generally wise to the goings-on because of the frequency of male visitors who only stay a short time.
Since police concentrated their efforts several years ago on eradicating prostitution from the streets of Salt Lake City, Atkinson said, there are very few prostitutes who walk the streets.
Although police did not locate the woman in charge of the Pueblo Street operation, Atkinson said he is confident officers will catch her.
Those arrested face a variety of offenses.
You can reach Amy Joi Bryson by e-mail at amyjoi@desnews.com.