CRANBERRY TWP — A suspected prostitute was armed with condoms and a loaded handgun when she was arrested Tuesday at a budget motel in the township, police said.

Savannah M. Groves, 47, of Pittsburgh was one of two alleged “escorts” from Allegheny County nabbed at the Red Roof Inn on Route 19.

Groves and Shawna M. Thomas, 36, of West Miflin are charged with promoting prostitution and criminal use of a communication facility, both felonies, and several misdemeanors.

Groves and Thomas are being held in the Butler County Prison on $30,000 and $15,000 bail, respectively.

Cranberry Township police arrested the defendants following a joint vice investigation with Moon Township police in Allegheny County.

Police searched websites that advertise female companions for money as part of their investigation, court documents said.

By cell phone text message, the officers arranged to meet their “dates” at the Red Roof Inn on Tuesday.

Groves, upon her arrest, asked if she could call her baby sitter and arrange for child care,” according to a police affidavit. Police allowed her to call on her cell phone.

But she allegedly began deleting information from the phone, police said, and smashed the device.

Police said they had to forcibly subdue her when she tried to get away.

Among other items, a search of Groves' purses turned up condoms and a loaded .40-caliber Glock pistol with a high-capacity magazine holding 22 rounds of ammunition.

Thomas was found with a suspected crack pipe, syringes and other alleged drug contraband.

Along with the felonies, both women face misdemeanor charges of prostitution and possessing instruments of crime.

Additionally, Groves is charged with resisting arrest and tampering with evidence, and Thomas is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia

Preliminary hearings for both defendants are set for May 9 before District Judge Dave Kovach in Cranberry.

Thomas, it turned out, is also wanted by McKeesport police in Allegheny County on a felony arrest warrant stemming from a suspected theft April 19 at the Red Roof Inn on Route 19.