LAWRENCE — A 45-year-old Billerica man was arrested minutes after he picked up a woman on Farnham Street as police watched, then drove to a quiet neighborhood where he paid her to perform a sex act.
Sgt. Michael Simard was patrolling on South Union Street in his unmarked police vehicle when he saw the woman, later identified as Mariann Perna, 25, of 77 S. Union St. walking on Farnham Street near South Union Street.
She was wearing tight jeans, a halter top and a lot of makeup, and appeared to be working the streets, police said.
Simard watched as a silver BMW drove slowly past her and she made a motion with her head.
The car continued and reversed direction on Farnham Street, heading back toward Perna.
When the car stopped, she got in and the car drove to a residential neighborhood at the end of Portland Street near Market Street.
The pair had a conversation and Perna then dropped out of sight of the officer.
Simard called for backup and approached the car.
After an investigation, Perna and Herve Jacques, 45, of Billerica were arrested and charged with engaging in sexual conduct for a fee.
Jacques was also charged with soliciting a prostitute and Perna was charged with being a common street walker, police said.
