PORTLAND — An effort to curb prostitution in Portland’s Parkside neighborhood netted four arrests on Sunday and early Monday.
All four men were arrested between 11 p.m. Sunday and 12:25 a.m. Monday, according to Portland City Spokeswoman Nicole Clegg.
All the arrests occurred within a two-block area on Weymouth Street, Clegg said.
Arrested and charged with engaging a prostitute were Robert Flagg, 61, of Westbrook; Jose Otilio Menjiva of Portland; Rumen Shopov, 55, of Portland; and Christopher Pierce, 32, of Naples, Clegg said. Menjiva’s age was not available.
All four suspects were arrested after offering an undercover police officer money to engage in sexual activities, Clegg said.
The Parkside Neighborhood Association has asked police to increase enforcement because of the negative impact of prostitution in the community, Clegg said. Members have stated that women who live in the neighborhood are followed by men seeking sex.
All four suspects are being held at the Cumberland County Jail.
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