Police Bust Collingwood's Zheng Salon for Prostitution Activity

Customers at Zheng Salon on Haddon Avenue were offered more than the advertised massage, waxing and nails services, according to police. One employee stands accused of providing sexual favors to patrons in exchange for money.

Two women were escorted quietly from  just before 2 p.m. Wednesday after police executed a search warrant there for suspected prostitution activity.

charged one of the women—Rong Chen, 48, of Philadelphia—with promoting prostitution. She was charged and released with a court date of Dec. 22, police said.

The other woman was taken into custody, but has not been charged.

"The investigation is ongoing," said Lt. Glenn Prince.

Against a backdrop of Christmas music piped in from the downtown public address system, Collingswood Police detectives and officers from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office executed a search warrant on Zheng Salon. Detectives launched an investigation a week ago after receiving a tip about illicit activities at the salon.

Collingswood "License and Inspection officials are conducting a review of the business at this time and Zheng Salon is currently closed," the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. 

Zheng Salon advertises "nails, waxing, facials, massage" at its 721 Haddon Ave. storefront. Neighbors said they've made calls to police about the shop, including complaints about its front window display. 

One woman who declined to give her name called the salon "shady. I knew something was going on there," she said.

The prostitution allegations came as no surprise to Marlene Gagliardi, owner of Marlene's Dress Shop down the block from Zheng Salon. She's made several calls to nuisance officers about the salon, including complaints about the window display. 

"Anything to clean up Collingswood, that's what I say," Gagliardi said as she stood outside watching officers execute the search warrant. 

Stay with Collingswood Patch for more details on the prostitution arrest at Zheng Salon. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. The last update occurred at 5:05 p.m., Dec. 14.