OKINAWA CITY, Japan — A U.S. civilian contractor on Camp Foster was taken into Okinawa police custody Monday for allegedly stealing money from a convenience store near his off-base home in Okinawa City, a police spokesman said Tuesday.
William M. Gray, 22, allegedly stole 75,000 yen (about $750) around 10 p.m. March 31 at the store in Okinawa City’s Chibana district, according to a police report.
Gray allegedly took the money from the cash register while a store attendant had his back turned as he prepared fried chicken Gray had ordered, a police spokesman said.
The sales attendant reported the theft to police after he realized money was missing from the register. The spokesman said the store’s security camera videotaped Gray taking money out of the register and recorded the license number of plate of Gray’s car.
An arrest warrant was issued Friday after police identified Gray from information provided by military police.
Gray was asked to come to the Okinawa Police Station after he was spotted by police driving in the Mihama district of Chatan, officials said.
The spokesman said Gray admitted to the crime, explaining to investigators that he took the money because he was broke.
The case was expected to be referred to the Naha District Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, police said.
