Third District Police Commander Larry McCoy sent out the following announcement of arrests related to a prostitution ring working out of the Washington Plaza Hotel in Thomas Circle.

The Prostitution Enforcement Unit (PEU), under the direction of Insp. Brian Bray, conducted a hotel operation at the Washington Plaza Hotel targeting adult and juvenile prostitutes and johns. The operation took place at # 10 Thomas Cir. NW. As a result of the operation 11 individuals were arrested. There were no other incidents that occurred during the operation.

The Thomas Circle hotel is a well-known downtown spot to pick up prostitutes — some of you may remember Wizards forward Andray Blatche was arrested for solicitation there in August. Assistant Chief Diane Groomes followed up on McCoy’s report to say that the hotel tipped off police to the illegal activity happening there. Could these arrests spell the beginning of the end of Thomas Circle serving as a hotbed for hookers?