US Marines arrested in Okinawa in traffic incidents
Police in Okinawa arrested a US Marine Monday on suspicion of drunk driving. One day earlier, a US military member was arrested in a hit-and-run case.
Police identified the drunk driving suspect as Marine Corporal Adrian Xavier Sanchez, who resides at Camp Schwab.
They say officers stopped Sanchez who was driving unstably in Okinawa City. An alcohol test on the corporal showed that his alcohol level was above the legal limit.
The 23-year-old Sanchez reportedly told investigators that he thought he had sobered up.
A 20-year-old Marine lance corporal was arrested Sunday on suspicion of involvement in a hit-and-run accident. Four people, including a 7-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl, sustained minor injuries. The lance corporal is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Other recent arrests of US Marines in Okinawa include one in relation to a lewd act and one for home intrusion.
Okinawa Governor Tamaki Denny told reporters on Monday that criminal cases involving US personnel will keep occurring unless US military leaders act with the understanding that people in Okinawa are constantly living in anxiety.
Tamaki also said he told prefectural officials to strongly urge the US military to prevent even minor incidents.
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