February 7, 2009

The Nagasaki Prefectural Police on February 5 arrested a 21-year-old U.S. sailor on suspicion of a hit-and-run and interference with a police officer in the execution of his duty in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

According to the police, Brandon Jackson, a crew member from the amphibious assault ship Essex based at the U.S. Navy Sasebo Base, on December 7 was driving a stolen car without a license in Sasebo City. When a police officer stopped him to question the driver, the sailor suddenly accelerated and the police officer suffered a head injury.