Iwakuni police tie second Marine to auto-parts theft case

[thedrifter]

Iwakuni police tie second Marine to auto-parts theft case


By Greg Tyler and Chiyomi Sumida, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, January 15, 2004



A second Marine from Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station has admitted to stealing automobile parts from a local off-base car dealership, Japanese police said late Tuesday afternoon.

Police would not name the second suspect but said he and Cpl. Todd M. Heaney admitted to stealing from the local business, which is owned by a 40-year-old Japanese man.

Heaney, 25, was arrested Sunday and remains in Japanese custody, base and local officials said.

Police officials said the second man was not in their custody Tuesday.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Constance S. Dillard, a base spokeswoman, said she could not say if a second Marine is being questioned because ?this is an ongoing investigation.?

Iwakuni police said the second suspect is a male Marine; they wouldn?t name him but said he is cooperating by answering investigators? questions.

Local investigators referred Heaney?s case to the public prosecutor?s office for review; however, an indictment has not been issued, the police spokesman said.

Police said the Marines stole more than $4,700 of automotive parts Sept. 28 from the dealership.

Eleven items, including driver?s and passenger?s seats, a transmission shifting lever, steering wheel, center console, cup holder and ash tray were stolen, police said.

They would not discuss how Heaney originally was pinpointed as a suspect but said several stolen items were found at his home.

The police said Japanese investigators sought and received support from the base Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp...4&article=19837

Sempers,

Roger