Suffolk Police arrested a Queens man late Wednesday for allegedly running a prostitution ring that recruited women for commercial sex work across the County, cops said.
Francisco Hernandez-Cruz, 47, of Corona, Queens, was apprehended near Veterans Memorial Highway in Bohemia about 10:15 p.m., police said.
The investigation, led by Suffolk Police’s Human Trafficking Unit, was conducted in coordination with the New York City Police Department and units at Suffolk Police’s Fifth Precinct, began earlier this month after a tip from the NYPD.
Detectives said Hernandez-Cruz recruited women for commercial sex work, assisting them in traveling to and from area hotels and residences in Brentwood and other Suffolk locations. Police allege he recruited at least five women and believe there may be additional victims and suspects involved.
Hernandez-Cruz faces charges of third- and fourth-degree promoting prostitution. Authorities seized his vehicle, three cellphones, cash and sex paraphernalia.
He was held overnight in police custody and was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip.
Police released a mugshot of Hernandez-Cruz, asking anyone with information about him or other suspects to contact the Human Trafficking Investigations Unit at 631.854.7512.
Top photo: Francisco Hernandez-Cruz of Corona, Queens