By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

MIDDLETOWN - Police officers in this city straddling Butler and Warren counties are again investigating possible prostitution activity in local massage parlors.

Officers on Thursday served search warrants at three massage businesses: Fuji Spa, 2911 Cincinnati-Dayton Road; Kings Spa, 3587 Cincinnati-Dayton Road; and Rainbow, 3585 Commerce Drive, authorities said. The warrants were served simultaneously.

Five female employees were being held for questioning Thursday afternoon, Middletown Police Sgt. Scott Reeve said.

The search follows a three-month investigation, Reeve said.

"Two (of the) places were very busy," he said. "At Fuji Spa, they were actually turning customers away sometimes. They tried to make it look legitimate on the outside but on the inside it was a totally different atmosphere.

"This is third year in a row where we've had to address the problem," Reeve said.

E-mail daveck@fuse.net