Chinatown massage parlor robbers eyed in other stickups

Three men arrested in the armed robbery of a Chinatown massage parlor early Monday may be responsible for several similar holdups, police said today.

Anthony Oliver, 27, Jermaine Robinson, 23, Hakeen Willis, 28, allegedly posed as clients Monday at New World Spa Massage on the 1200 block of Race Street. Once inside, they pulled out handguns and demanded cash.

Police received a 911 call at 2:53 a.m. reporting a robbery in progress and arrived at the massage parlor before the robbers could flee.

The men barricaded themselves inside along with employees and several patrons. Following a brief standoff with police, Oliver and Robinson surrendered. Willis escaped to the roof where police found him at daybreak. No weapons were recovered.

Oliver, Robinson and Willis remained in police custody this afternoon pending an arraignment.

"We expect additional charges will be filed for at least two other jobs," said Lt. Frank Vanore, spokesman for the police department. "One on the 400 block of N. Ninth and the other in the unit block of N. 10th Street."

He added that additional robberies could also fit the pattern.