Two Marines suspected in assault, robbery

[unhappycamper]

Two Marines suspected in assault, robbery
By Chiyomi Sumida, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, January 9, 2008

OKINAWA CITY — Two Marines assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Futenma were in Okinawa police custody Monday for allegedly robbing and beating a cab driver, according to the prefectural police department in Okinawa City.

Cpl. Joseph Wayne Riddle, 20, and a 19-year-old private first class, whose name was not released because he is considered a minor under Japanese law, are suspected of attacking a 59-year-old cab driver around 3:40 a.m. Monday in Okinawa City’s Mihara district, according to a police spokesman.

Marine spokesman Gunnery Sgt. Charles Albrecht said the incident is under investigation by military and local police. He had no further details Monday evening.

According to the police report, the two men assaulted him with a whiskey bottle and wooden plank when the driver asked them for the fare of 2,780 yen (about $25).

The assailants then fled, but police arrested the two Marines after seeing them in the area and noting they matched the descriptions given by the cabbie, the police spokesman said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51482