Updated: Wednesday, 10 Jun 2009, 11:21 AM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 10 Jun 2009, 10:56 AM CDT
Pioneer Press
Berkeley, IL. - From the outside, the west suburban home looks like any other on the quiet street. But the pretty pink flowers along the walkway were only a facade for what police say was going on inside, according to police.
On June 3 members of Hillside and Berkeley police departments, along with Cook County Sheriff's officers, executed a search warrant at 5710 Hawthorne Ave. in Berkeley after a three-month investigation involving alleged prostitution.
Eight people were taken into custody and evidence was recovered from the residence, according to police.
Kimberly "Big Kim" Miniea, 49, who lives at the residence with her daughter Kimberly Petersen, 19, were charged with felony pandering and keeping a house of prostitution.
Casey Norder, 21, of 8649 85th St. in Hickory Hills was charged with prostitution.
Kevin Schwartz, 30, of 381 Collins St. in South Elgin was charged with solicitation of a prostitute and possession of marijuana.
Norder and Schwartz were released after posting $100 bail. Miniea is being held on a $50,000 bond and Petersen is being held on a $25,000 bond.
Berkeley police Chief Joseph Lukaszek said four other people were arrested but released without charges because at the time of the execution of the warrant they were not in the process of committing acts involving prostitution.
Two sisters in the neighborhood said it looked like the house looked as if it had many visitors in the past. "There were always a lot of cars in front of the house," they said.
Miniea and Petersen's next court date is June 12, while Norder and Schwartz are to appear June 23.