Crime

After a masseur was charged with sexual assault, Auburn spa owner tried to bribe victim, police say

A masseur at the spa allegedly forced the victim to touch him inappropriately during her massage.

December 17, 2024

1 minute to read

An Auburn spa owner was arrested for trying to bribe a victim to withhold information from police about a masseur who assaulted her in October, authorities said.

On Oct. 6, Auburn police received multiple calls reporting a disturbance at Health Spa at 385 Southbridge St., according to a statement from the department.

Upon arrival, officers interviewed a woman who identified herself as one of the callers.

The woman, about 30 years old, told officers that a masseur at the spa forced her to touch him inappropriately during her massage, police said.

Following an investigation into the allegations, a 22-year-old Shrewsbury man was arrested.

After the incident, Auburn police detectives said they learned that the owner of Health Spa tried to give the victim money in exchange for not reporting the incident to police.

Detectives subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for the spa’s owner, Chengan Zhu, 52, of Shrewsbury, according to authorities. Police found Zhu at his spa and placed him under arrest for witness intimidation.

Zhu was arraigned in Worcester District Court on Dec. 11 and released on personal recognizance.