The Courtesy Hotel, which some members of the West Hempstead community are leading a crusade to have closed, was the location of an alleged rape as police arrested two men and charged them with third degree sodomy and rape.

According to detectives, police responded to a call at the Courtesy Hotel, located at 130 Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead on an unrelated matter. While at the hotel, police said they observed one of the men who was later arrested and two girls, both 16 years old, exiting an elevator.

According to police, the girls appeared to be intoxicated and one of them was crying. Police are alleging that the girls were taken to the hotel where they were raped and sodomized.

After a brief investigation at the scene, police arrested a 27-year-old Valley Stream man and a 28-year-old Rockville Centre man.

For the Courtesy Hotel, the incident is the latest in a series of crimes that have taken place in the hotel or in its vicinity. Community activists such as members of the West Hempstead Civic Association have been urging the Town of Hempstead to take action and have the hotel closed.

Town Supervisor Kate Murray was made aware of the incident on Tuesday. Murray said she is working with Councilman Ed Ambrosino to start a condemnation process.

"The criminal activity could strengthen our case in court. We want to bring condemnation proceedings based on criminal activity," the supervisor said.

Murray said that while the town will proceed with action to try to close down the hotel, it is difficult to take a business away. "Everybody has their day in court. To take a business owner to court to try to take away their business is not an easy job to do. We're the ones who are going to have the burden of proof. We're fully prepared to do that. We know that it's absolutely the will of the people," she said.

Murray said that the town needs to have a development company in line to step right in if the property is condemned.

Some members of the West Hempstead Civic Association would like to see a senior housing project in the area. Murray said she would also like to see senior housing in the area. "We'd really be thrilled," she said.