Continuous crimes by U.S. forces irritate Okinawans

In mid-August, police were busy in Okinawa dealing with a series of crimes committed by U.S. soldiers.

On the night of August 15, three U.S. Marines were arrested red-handed for stealing bottles from a liquor store car in Okinawa City. They are stationed at U.S. Camp Schwab.

An airman stationed at the U.S. Kadena Air Base was caught early on the morning of August 16 when he was trespassing on a private property in Okinawa City.

On the same day, a woman's car was damaged by a truck belonging to U.S. forces, which fled the scene of the accident in Urasoe city.

U.S. serviceman injures Sasebo hotel employee

A U.S. serviceman on the evening of August 18 invaded a hotel in Sasebo City, Nagasaki, and pointing a knife at a female receptionist, took 60 thousand yen in cash and ran away. In the skirmish, she was slightly injured.

A little after 1:00 a.m. on the following day, police arrested a sailor stationed at U.S. Sasebo Navy Base. Police said he denies the charge.

According to investigators, the suspect showed a 500-yen coin as if he was asking for change and suddenly pointed the knife at the employee as she opened a cash register.

Drunken U.S. marine arrested for violence in Okinawa

Okinawa police on August 7 arrested a U.S.Marine corporal stationed at U.S. Camp Hansen, on suspicion of using violence against two Indian men at a beer festival held in Okinawa City.

The suspect, being drunken at the time of the arrest, is reported to have denied the accusation, saying, "I just pushed, but never hit them."

According to the police, he struck two Indian salesclerks several times on the head with his empty hands near the entrance. Their friends immediately informed the police booth of the violence, and he was caught red-handed. The incident was said to have been caused by the marine playing a trick on one of the men who was holding a doll to be given as a premium at the festival. (end)