Hooker working at Dunkin Doughnuts
Rockaway Borough Dunkin' Donuts employee is charged with prostitution while on job
Published: Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 8:28 PM Updated: Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 8:41 PM
By Dan Goldberg/The Star-Ledger
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Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerA 29-year-old female is facing prostitution charges after police say she took breaks to provide sex in exchange for money while working the night shift at Dunkin' Donuts in Rockaway Borough.
ROCKAWAY BOROUGH — Police dubbed the operation "extra sugar."
They said the 29-year old Dunkin’ Donuts employee was soliciting sex while working the drive-thru during her overnight shift.
Rockaway Borough police had been watching since mid-June, according to Detective Sgt. Kyle Schwarzmann, and saw her enter several cars.
Today, Melissa Redmond, in her first interview since she was arrested last week, fought back, offering her side of the story.
"I am not some whore," she said, choking back tears.
First and foremost, she said, she has a regular job. She has worked for Dunkin’ Donuts for five years, struggling to support herself and her unemployed boyfriend. The two have been together for 10 years.
Yes, she said, she has taken money from people, but those are friends who know she is poor. She made no pretense about being monogamous, but said she never offered any kind of menu of sexual acts.
"I have a lot of friends, and sometimes people I know give me money because they know I need it," she said. "I build friendships with people and sometimes those people could use a little company."
She was standing outside the room she rents at a low-budget motel in Mine Hill. The room was tiny, filled with clutter. She has lived there for the last year, about five miles from the Dunkin’ Donuts.
Sometimes she has money for a cab, she said, sometimes she doesn’t and walks.
Rockaway police arrested Redmond last Wednesday on prostitution charges outside the Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 46 in Rockaway.
"She’d stay right there in the parking lot," said Schwarzmann, who said he saw money change hands.
Redmond, who has a big smile and brown hair down to her waist, said the claim is exaggerated.
"I wasn’t soliciting people through the drive-thru window," she said. "I never did anything on Dunkin’ Donuts property."
Employees at the store on Route 46 in Rockaway declined to comment today.
"We are aware of the situation," said Jessica Gioglio, a spokeswoman. "Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants are owned and operated by individual franchise owners who are responsible for all hiring and other employment related decisions. Upon learning of this situation, the franchise owner placed the crew member on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the police investigation."
The investigation began about six weeks ago, police said, after an anonymous tip came through Crime Stoppers.
"She would get in the car," Schwarzmann said. "She’d stay right there in the parking lot."
Police set up a sting.
Officer Scott Haigh pulled up to the drive-thru window and pretended he was new in town, looking for some fun.
"He hit on me," Redmond said. "He told me he was a softball player."
There is a dispute over what took place next. Schwarzmann said Redmond told Haigh that she was a fun girl, met him outside the store and told him what sexual services she provided at what cost.
Redmond said it was Haigh who made the first offer.
"He asked if we could hang out some time," Redmond said. She was flattered.
Haigh returned a few days later.
"He said, ‘can you take care of me real quick,’" according to Redmond.
She went outside and money changed hands. She was arrested, served a complaint and released.
"I thought he wanted to be my friend," she said. "He seemed nice."
Published: Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 8:28 PM Updated: Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 8:41 PM
By Dan Goldberg/The Star-Ledger Follow
Share Email Print
Robert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerA 29-year-old female is facing prostitution charges after police say she took breaks to provide sex in exchange for money while working the night shift at Dunkin' Donuts in Rockaway Borough.ROCKAWAY BOROUGH — Police dubbed the operation "extra sugar."
They said the 29-year old Dunkin’ Donuts employee was soliciting sex while working the drive-thru during her overnight shift.
Rockaway Borough police had been watching since mid-June, according to Detective Sgt. Kyle Schwarzmann, and saw her enter several cars.
Today, Melissa Redmond, in her first interview since she was arrested last week, fought back, offering her side of the story.
"I am not some whore," she said, choking back tears.
First and foremost, she said, she has a regular job. She has worked for Dunkin’ Donuts for five years, struggling to support herself and her unemployed boyfriend. The two have been together for 10 years.
Yes, she said, she has taken money from people, but those are friends who know she is poor. She made no pretense about being monogamous, but said she never offered any kind of menu of sexual acts.
"I have a lot of friends, and sometimes people I know give me money because they know I need it," she said. "I build friendships with people and sometimes those people could use a little company."
She was standing outside the room she rents at a low-budget motel in Mine Hill. The room was tiny, filled with clutter. She has lived there for the last year, about five miles from the Dunkin’ Donuts.
Sometimes she has money for a cab, she said, sometimes she doesn’t and walks.
Rockaway police arrested Redmond last Wednesday on prostitution charges outside the Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 46 in Rockaway.
"She’d stay right there in the parking lot," said Schwarzmann, who said he saw money change hands.
Redmond, who has a big smile and brown hair down to her waist, said the claim is exaggerated.
"I wasn’t soliciting people through the drive-thru window," she said. "I never did anything on Dunkin’ Donuts property."
Employees at the store on Route 46 in Rockaway declined to comment today.
"We are aware of the situation," said Jessica Gioglio, a spokeswoman. "Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants are owned and operated by individual franchise owners who are responsible for all hiring and other employment related decisions. Upon learning of this situation, the franchise owner placed the crew member on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the police investigation."
The investigation began about six weeks ago, police said, after an anonymous tip came through Crime Stoppers.
"She would get in the car," Schwarzmann said. "She’d stay right there in the parking lot."
Police set up a sting.
Officer Scott Haigh pulled up to the drive-thru window and pretended he was new in town, looking for some fun.
"He hit on me," Redmond said. "He told me he was a softball player."
There is a dispute over what took place next. Schwarzmann said Redmond told Haigh that she was a fun girl, met him outside the store and told him what sexual services she provided at what cost.
Redmond said it was Haigh who made the first offer.
"He asked if we could hang out some time," Redmond said. She was flattered.
Haigh returned a few days later.
"He said, ‘can you take care of me real quick,’" according to Redmond.
She went outside and money changed hands. She was arrested, served a complaint and released.
"I thought he wanted to be my friend," she said. "He seemed nice."
