Monday, April 23, 2001

Stars and Stripes

NAHA, Okinawa — A Japanese family court here has sent the cases against two 19-year-old Americans back to prosecutors, who will prepare to try them as adults in Naha District Court.

The teens are charged with car theft, arson and vandalism. They allegedly stole a car Dec. 2 from a parking lot in Yomitan and smashed it into a storefront in Nago, causing about $7,300 in damage. They are also charged with setting fires to cars Jan. 26 in Okinawa City and Sashiki.

Charges against a third suspect in the cases, a 17-year-old American, were dismissed by Family Court Judge Hiroaki Saito, who said it was apparent the teen did not play a key role in the crimes.

The three teens are the sons of U.S. servicemembers living on Kadena Air Base. Their names are being withheld because they are considered minors under Japanese law, and they have not been indicted in the criminal court.

Okinawa police said the two 19-year-olds admitted their involvement in the incidents.

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