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U.S. Soldier Arrested for Alleged Arson
A U.S. soldier stationed in Okinawa was arrested by Japanese police Saturday on suspicion of setting fire to two passenger cars in a local parking lot, Kyodo news services reported.
The U.S. soldier, 22-year-old Fernando Blanes stationed in Kadena Air Base, was arrested on the spot on suspicion of setting the cars on fire in the parking lot in Yamauchi, Kyodo reported, adding that one of the cars was destroyed by the fire.
Policemen rushed to the parking lot and arrested Blanes after a witnesses called the police at around 5:35 a.m. Saturday, the report said.
Earlier this month, a U.S. serviceman, also stationed at the same air base was arrested on suspicion of raping a Japanese woman in the town of Chatan on June 29.
Okinawa is home to 25,000 U.S. troops, about half of all U.S. forces in Japan, and local residents have long called for a reduction of the heavy Marine presence in the prefecture in reaction to a spate of serious crimes committed by Marines, such as arson and rape.
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