A US Marine was arrested in Japan on suspicion killing a woman and stealing her belongings, according to reports.
Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballad, 20, is suspected of killing Anna Yagi, 39, early Saturday at the Naminoue Crystal Hotel in Okinawa, a local police spokesperson told Stars and Stripes.
Ballad, who is assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, was allegedly seen on security footage entering the hotel with the woman, but leaving alone sometime later, the military newspaper reported.
A hotel employee entered the room after the pair failed to check out on time and found the victim unconscious, the report said.
Police allege that Ballard stole Yagi’s wallet and backpack and killed her sometime between 2:10 a.m. and 4:17 a.m. Saturday, according to the outlet.
Ballad was detained and questioned by police after he was spotted walking in an Okinawa city nightlife district and arrested on Sunday, according to Japanese newspaper Nikkei Asia.
Police expect to refer the case to the Naha Public Prosecutors Office within 48 hours of his arrest, the Okinawa Prefectural Police spokesperson told Stars and Stripes later Sunday, as Ballad remained in custody.
He denies the allegations, police said.
The US Marine Corps is “actively cooperating with Japanese authorities in response to allegations of serious criminal actions by a Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force,” spokesman 1st Lt. Tyler Thomas said in an email to Stars and Stripes.
US Ambassador George Glass said on X that he had spoken with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and pledged “full cooperation as the investigation continues.”
The US Embassy in Tokyo said it was “aware that a US service member is in custody following the death of a Japanese national in Okinawa,” in a X post.
“As an investigation is underway to determine the facts of the case, the United States is communicating and cooperating with the Government of Japan and local authorities,” the embassy wrote.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the victim’s family.”
The Post reached out to the US Marine Corps for comment.
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