Evidence from prostitution investigations is expected to be presented to the Davidson County grand jury in the near future as a result of four strip clubs being shut down. The action took place earlier this month when the Metro Police Department and Metro Legal Department acuused the clubs of promoting prostitution and allowing it to take place on their properties,

The closures came as part of an investigation dating back to August 2003 in which police informants have made deals for sex, and undercover officers observed sex acts at the establishments, police said.

”While many padlocking orders have been executed in the past involving adult businesses, these are the first involving show clubs,” police spokesman Don Aaron said.

The clubs – Babes Showclub, 300 McCann St.; The New Club Mirage, 514 Eighth Ave. S.; Showtime, 820 Palmer Place; and Executive Club 701, 701 Fourth Ave. S. – were declared public nuisances in temporary restraining orders and padlocking authorizations signed by Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Randall Wyatt, police said.

At Babes, officers reported finding a sex act in progress when they entered the building at 10 p.m.

”We’re not the morality police, but we are the Metro police, and we’re not going to permit illegal activities,” said Capt. Todd Henry, who heads the Special Investigations Unit.

The judge’s orders prohibit the owners and operators of the businesses and anyone associated with them from setting foot inside the buildings until hearings are held tomorrow morning.

The move is part of a continuing effort to make sure adult businesses are complying with state and local laws, police said.

”Show clubs, like other adult businesses, have a right to operate in our city, but must do so within the bounds of the law,” Chief Ronal Serpas said in a statement. He said prostitution ”undermines our city’s tremendous quality of life and presents other health and law enforcement-related issues.”

Serpas said last night the clubs were offering ”organized sex-on-sex, flesh-on-flesh prostitution.”

”Legitimate businesses have nothing to worry about,” he said.

According to police, undercover investigations found these activities:

• Babes Showclub – Prostitution deals were made with three dancers on three occasions. The cost was $200 for a 30-minute ”V.I.P. dance.”

A manager witnessed some of the sex acts, but did not stop them from taking place.

• The New Club Mirage – Seven prostitution deals were made with six dancers on six occasions.

The cost was $60-$180. Club employees were involved in helping arrange the prostitution activity, police said.

• Showtime – Undercover officers observed two acts of prostitution inside the business. Informants made seven prostitution deals with dancers on seven occasions.

The cost was $40-$140. The dancers were seen giving part of the money either to male employees or managers.

• Executive Club 701 – Undercover officers were searched for weapons and recording devices upon entry.

Inside, dancers offered to perform acts of prostitution.

They even discussed an ”exotic maid service” at either the patron’s home or motel for $150 per hour. Informants made six prostitution deals with dancers on several occasions.

Two prostitution deals also were made at area motels involving the ”exotic maid service.”