South Austin prostitution sting nets 19

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Undercover Austin police attracted nearly 20 'Johns' on South Austin streets in two nights. It was the first prostitution sting in the area in two years.

Police Lt. Joe Robles said the department decided to concentrate efforts in South Austin after a crime analyst noticed 18 sexual assaults had occured in the area since January 1, 2009. Half of the victims were strippers and prostitutes.

Wednesday night 16 men were arrested after making deals with the undercover officers standing on corners. Most of the arrests occured at the intersection of Burton Drive and Woodland Avenue.

By 9:30 p.m. Thursday night police had arrested three men on South Congress close to Ben White. Police said that is also the area where prostitutes were arrested in mid-September. Police arrested 20 women during two separate stings.

Each time, an undercover female officer posts up on a corner. They are typically approached by a 'John' in a vehicle who waves the prostitute over or honks. She walks over to the vehicle and the two agree on a price for sex. Once the verbal agreement is made, a crime has been committed and the arrest team moves in.

In 95-percent of the cases, Robles said other crimes are present.

"These females are out there because they have an addiction. They're addicted to drugs, and they're trying to support their habit," said Lt. Joe Robles. "Its unfortunate, but it's why they're out there."