A sailor from the Sasebo-based amphibious transport dock ship Green Bay was arrested by Japanese authorities Tuesday after he allegedly tried to steal a vehicle that was parked outside a convenience store, Stars and Stripes reports.
Seaman Apprentice Gorge Flores spotted an opportunity when he saw an empty car with its engine running outside of a Takeo City convenience store Monday night, the report says.
Moments after driving away, however, police say Flores crashed into a fence. He then exited the vehicle and fled on a bicycle.
Police arrested Flores hours later after a tip from a witness, according to the report.
A police spokesman said Flores had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.05, exceeding Japan’s legal limit of 0.03.
A Navy spokesman told Stars and Stripes that the Navy is aware of the arrest and is cooperating with Japanese officials in the investigation.
The Green Bay, in support of the Navy’s 7th Fleet, has been forward-deployed to Sasebo since 2015.
J.D. Simkins is the executive editor of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
