OTTAWA - Two 17-year-old girls who ran away from Toronto were allegedly sold for sex in the Ottawa area until police made a number of gang-related arrests in the past week.

The girls were allegedly lured into the world of prostitution by an Ottawa resident who began posting pictures of them online soliciting sex.

Gatineau police said they don't believe the girls were forced or held against their will. They were offered at an hourly rate for outcalls and incalls, terms used to describe whether the girl goes to a john or he goes to them.

When the girls were doing incalls, they were set up in Gatineau and Ottawa motels. Police didn't say how the girls knew each other.

The investigation began with Gatineau police looking into a home invasion Feb. 8 at 370 Prado St., near Aylmer. During that incident, three suspects beat and robbed a man.

With information from that investigation, Gatineau police, with the help of the Ottawa police tactical unit, made two arrests. The investigation then took police to 12 Joanisse St. in Hull, where a third man was taken into custody.

Gatineau police said they found equipment during that raid that had been stolen during the Prado St. home invasion. Police also seized several cloned credit cards and a small amount of cash.

Ottawa police arrested a 26-year-old man at an Ottawa motel, where they located the two girls from Toronto. The girls were handed over to the Children's Aid Society.

Acting Staff. Sgt. Mark Patterson of the Ottawa police guns and gang unit said the allegations of prostitution came to light after the arrest at the motel, adding more investigation needs to be done.

Francis Antoine, 26, is being held in Ottawa on a theft charge and several counts of breach of conditions.

He made a brief court appearance Wednesday. Gatineau police expect him to be transferred there Friday, but he's scheduled to be back in Ottawa court the same day, via video from the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre.

His brother Wayne Antoine, 29, was arrested and charged, as were Jeffrey Chaddesingt, 26, and Kayla Doy-Yate, 19.

Charges include robbery, assault causing harm, use of a firearm, pandering, possession of credit cards cloned and wearing disguises.

kenneth.jackson@sunmedia.ca