An investigation by the Nassau County Police Department Vice Squad into the happenings of a store on Jericho Turnpike led to the arrest of a 41-year-old Manhattan woman who was charged with operating an unauthorized practice and prostitution.

The location, 164 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola at the north sideof Jericho, looked to be an abandoned store with no sign, blinds drawn so that nobody could peer in and a locked door. However, the location was not abandoned, but rather was an illegal occupancy with alleged illegal activity going on inside.

Following a lead for a news story, a reporter rang the bell near the door and a woman answered. When the reporter inquired about a massage, he was told that the price was $60 for an hour.

The matter was brought to the forefront by a member of the Mineola Civic Association who suspected the store might be the location of illegal activities. Another member of the civic association brought the matter before the board of trustees at the December public meeting and was told the matter was being investigated.

A village official then called the police department. Nassau Police Narcotics Detective Sergeant Joe Haeselin said the police knew about the location from an advertisement in a newspaper and were investigating the matter.

An undercover police officer then went into the establishment and police determined the woman arrested had, in fact, given a massage. The fact that the woman had no license from the New York State Education Department constituted a crime. "They do perform a massage, which makes it illegal for them to do without a license, and during the massage, [the undercover officer] was offered sex for money," Haeselin said.

According to New York State law, a person is guilty of prostitution when such person engages, or agrees or offers to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee.

The arrest was made on Dec. 17 and currently, the establishment now appears to be emptied. The investigation began shortly before that. According to Haeselin, establishments such as these tend to be transient, meaning they move from one location to another.

Giving a massage without a license in this case was an E felony while the prostitution charge is a B misdemeanor.

Had the police not made an arrest, which apparently stopped the establishment from doing business, the Village of Mineola almost certainly would have issued a violation. "This was an illegal commercial tenancy and the Nassau County Police Department took care of the situation by making the arrest and the illegal tenants moved out," said Village of Mineola Building Superintendent Michael Giardina.

The owner of 164 Jericho Turnpike is Jolin Corporation, located on Woodland Road in Roslyn. There was no listing in the phone directory under that name.