More than two years after receiving their first tip about suspected sex trafficking at a downtown New Prague massage parlor, police raided the business and arrested its owner on allegations of promoting prostitution.

The police action occurred Monday at 4 U Massage in the 800 block of 1st Street SE., in the city of roughly 8,200 on the southern outskirts of the Twin Cities.

Along with arresting the owner, a 49-year-old woman, police seized sheets, towels and condoms that they believe have physical evidence pointing to illicit sex occurring at the parlor.

The woman was released from jail Wednesday pending further investigation and without charges filed against her or any of her clients. The Star Tribune generally does not identify suspects before they are charged.

A search warrant affidavit filed in court cleared the way for the police raid. It spells out how the investigation began in December 2022 and progressed until this week's raid.

According to the filing:

On Dec. 29, 2022, a 34-year-old man told police he went to the parlor for a massage. The staff member signaled him non-verbally twice about her performing a sex act on him, which he declined.

In July 2024, Fridley police shared with their counterparts in New Prague that sexually oriented ads for 4 U Massage were posted online.

In January and February, three men told police of women working at the parlor offering sex to them. One of the men said he has had sex at the parlor three or four times and visited a massage parlor in New Ulm, Minn., as well.

"An employee told him they trade girls between the two massage parlors every three weeks," the filing read.