One of the topless, painted women who hustle for tips in Times Square has been arrested on prostitution charges.
Police say undercover officers struck up a conversation with Destiny Romero on Wednesday night near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. They say she introduced them to a man who offered to sell them drugs.
Police say that when the undercovers and the suspects went to another location to complete the drug deal, Romero agreed to have sex with one of the officers in exchange for cash.
Romero was awaiting a court appearance Thursday. Prosecutors didn't have the name of her lawyer.
The Bronx woman's arrest comes amid concerns that topless women who paint their breasts red, white and blue and troll for tips are tarnishing Times Square's more wholesome image.
The mayor has set up a task force to examine the problem. Police expect to have results from the task force's findings by October and will beef up their presence there in the fall, with plans to have more than 100 officers in Times Square alone.
In the meantime, says NYPD Chief James O'Neill, officers will be "looking for aggressive solicitation against costume characters, CD hawkers and the painted ladies, if there is any."
-- Ray Villeda contributed to this report
