http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-
lipros303353066jun30,0,1337225.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines

8 Charged in Escort Service Bust

By Dionne Searcey
STAFF WRITER

June 30, 2003

Police from the Suffolk district attorney's office have arrested a
Brentwood couple, five women and their bodyguard in a bust of an
escort service conducting business in Suffolk motels.

Ronald Grab, 38, and his wife Melissa Grab, 33, both of 65 Prospect
Ave., were each charged Friday with third-degree promoting
prostitution, according to Bob Clifford, spokesman for the Suffolk
County district attorney's office.

Prosecutors said the couple owned and operated Exotic Escorts of
Brentwood. Also charged with third-degree promoting prostitution was
Carlos Reinoso, 33, of Bay Shore, who prosecutors said was a driver
and bodyguard employed by Exotic.

On Friday, undercover officers posing as customers called the agency
and planned a rendezvous with female escorts at the Commack Motor
Inn on Jericho Turnpike, the Holiday Inn on Expressway Drive South
in Hauppauge and the EconoLodge on Route 454 in Ronkonkoma,
according to the release.

When the women asked for $500 in exchange for sex, they were
arrested, prosecutors said.

This week, as part of the three-month investigation, an undercover
detective began negotiating with Ronald Grab to buy his prostitution
ring for $50,000.

"He told us about where he kept his money, how he paid the escorts,
the whole financial end to it - and how he evaded detection by
police," said Det. Sgt. David Tricamo, who headed the investigation
for the district attorney's office. "He gave us tips on how to avoid
being caught."

Acting on a search warrant of Grab's home, officers found $158,450
in cash and business records of the names, addresses and phone
numbers of the service's clientele.

The women charged with prostitution, a misdemeanor, are: Maria
Colon, 31, of Roosevelt; Consuelo Arrascue, 43, of Medford; Adria
Heba, 33, of Coram; Tara Casternovia, 18, of Ozone Park; and Maria
Agulor, 26, of the Bronx.

Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.