Duo federally charged after allegedly conspiring to rob massage parlors around Central Illinois - WEEK | 25 News Now | Peoria, IL

[Jason Howell]

(25News Now) - Two men are facing charges in federal court after they allegedly conspired to rob numerous massage parlors around the area.

Titus Alexander and Mitchell Smith appeared in federal court virtually Monday charged with interference with commerce by threat or violence, for allegedly conspiring to commit robbery between January and May.

The pair are accused of robbing massage parlors in Dunlap, Peoria and Jacksonville, though according to court documents, law enforcement is investigating at least seven armed robberies to area massage parlors since January.

On April 22, Peoria County deputies were called to Ocean Spa on Brentfield Drive in Dunlap and talked to two victims.

Around 9:26 p.m., two suspects were seen on security video at Dollar General walking toward Ocean Spa through the strip mall parking lot near the Dollar General, according to the complaint.

The suspects were seen entering Ocean Spa and going to the back room where one of the victims was located.

One of the suspects, seen wearing an Amazon delivery vest, was seen grabbing a victim from behind and pulling her into a room while the other suspect went around to the other rooms to ensure no one else was inside.

The complaint alleges that both suspects began assaulting the victim and restraining her. Another victim opened the closed lobby door before she was grabbed and pulled into the back room - with the second victim and suspect falling to the ground during the struggle.

As the second suspect was falling to the ground, the complaint goes on to say that a black pistol fell from his waistband. The suspect picked it up and pulled the second victim into another room and pistol-whipped her in the head several times.

Around $500 was stolen, the complaint said.

Three days later on April 25, Peoria Police and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to a robbery at Sister Relax Spa on North Knoxville.

A victim there told law enforcement that suspects entered the business but she refused to provide service to them as they were wearing masks and gloves.

The victim told law enforcement that she was grabbed from behind and choked unconscious when the second suspect entered and began checking the employee lounge for money.

Security video was reviewed by an ATF special agent on April 30. The pair were seen entering the spa around 3:52 p.m. on the 25th. Later, one suspect was seen searching through closets and different rooms before both were seen leaving the business out a back door.

The complaint said around $200-300 was taken.

On May 17, a home in the 1500 block of Northeast Monroe in Peoria was put under surveillance. Before 7:30 p.m., the complaint states that Alexander was seen leaving the home and going to the passenger side of a white sedan, which left and traveled southbound where it eventually merged onto eastbound Interstate 74.

Members of an ATF task force followed the vehicle to Jacksonville. The ATF special agent located an address in the 1100 block of West Morton Avenue in Jacksonville on an internet site. In the complaint, the special agent said the website claims to be “the world’s largest listing of independent escorts, agency escorts and other adult service providers.”

The vehicle was seen eventually turning into a parking lot. Smith was seen walking towards the rear of Summer Spa, with Alexander following the path a few moments later.

Later, as the pair were attempting to leave the parking lot, members of the ATF task force contained the vehicle and they were taken into custody without incident.

During a search of Alexander, the following items were found on his person, according to the complaint:

• Victim’s wallet with identification
• Two of the victims’ phones
• Victim’s wristwatch
• U.S. currency
• Mask with black hair
• Black boots

During a search of Smith, the complaint said the following was found:

• Yellow gloves
• U.S. currency
• White Nike shoes with blue accents

During a search of the car, the complaint said the following was found:

• Amazon delivery vest
• Utility knife
• Black Sony bag containing black and clear/white zip ties
• U.S. currency
• Glock, Model 37, .45 caliber pistol, and a 10-round magazine
• Black gloves with white accents
• Other items

The victim from Summer Spa was interviewed by Jacksonville Police, who said Smith went into the spa and requested a massage. When the victim reached for the money Smith was offering to pay the massage with, he allegedly grabbed her around the neck and choked her unconscious.

She regained consciousness and was zip-tied around her hands and ankles. Alexander allegedly put a gun on her head and a knife to her ribs. The pair began rummaging through rooms looking for money, stealing an estimated $800-1000.

Both were ordered held with a detention hearing Wednesday afternoon.

You can watch 25News - any newscast, anywhere - streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.

Copyright 2025 WEEK. All rights reserved.