East Lyme — Local and Groton City police on Tuesday arrested three people after responding to a report of suspicious activity that possibly involved prostitution at the Niantic Motel.

According to police, officers who went to the 265 Flanders Road motel learned the vehicle of Ronald Hall, 42, of Woonsocket, R.I., was in the parking lot.

They contacted Groton City police, who held an active warrant for Hall's arrest. Upon arrival, city police found Hall inside Room 207 and took him into custody on charges of first-degree promoting prostitution and conspiracy to commit first-degree promoting prostitution.

According to Groton City police, Hall's arrest warrant stemmed from a monthlong investigation into a possible prostitution ring operating within Groton City and other parts of southeastern Connecticut.

Police said the investigation began when members of the Regional Community Enhancement Task Force observed two "suspicious vehicles" at various Groton-area hotels.

Police said they learned one of the vehicles was registered to Hall, who at the time had a different warrant out for his arrest.

That warrant, police said, was issued in part because of a victim's statement that she had been beaten for not earning enough money for Hall as a prostitute.

City police on Sept. 8 located Hall at Motel 6 in Groton City and, while serving that arrest warrant, found Hall with another man and several young females, police said.

Police identified the second man as Kevin Hodges, 51, of Dorchester, Mass., and determined the young females allegedly were prostitutes working for the two men.

Police said they seized more than $5,000 in cash from Hall and charged him on the warrant with first-degree promoting prostitution, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

He was released from custody after posting a $50,000 bond, records show.

Police said information they obtained afterward provided them probable cause to believe Hall and Hodges had been involved in promoting prostitution and conspiring to do so. New London Superior Court issued warrants for their arrests Sept. 30.

According to East Lyme police, Hodges was one of four other people in Niantic Motel Room 207 with Hall Tuesday.

Police transferred Hodges to Groton City police, who charged him on a warrant with first-degree promoting prostitution and conspiracy to commit first-degree promoting prostitution.

Police said three females, including one who had an extraditable warrant out of Rhode Island for failure to appear in court, also were in the room.

East Lyme police charged Jamie Lee Hoffman, 24, of Woonsocket, R.I., with being a fugitive from justice.

Hoffman, held on a $100,000 bond, was scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on Wednesday.

Both Hall and Hodges were released from police custody after posting $50,000 bonds and are scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on Oct. 18.

East Lyme police asked anyone with information about suspicious activity to call them at (860) 739-5900 or send a private message to them on Facebook.

Groton City police urged those with information to call them at (860) 445-2451.

"Citizen cooperation is critical to a successful community partnership aimed at fighting crime and keeping our community safe," city police said in a news release.

Tipsters can remain anonymous.

l.boyle@theday.com