U.S. soldier accused of stealing woman’s purse

A U.S. soldier was arrested on charges of stealing a woman’s purse, authorities said on Monday.

The unnamed private first class is accused of taking a South Korean woman’s purse last Friday at a nightclub near Hongik University, western Seoul.

Police arrested the soldier in the early hours of Sunday, after he was seen again at the same club. A nightclub staff member recognized the soldier from earlier camera footage showing him stealing the purse, and notified the police.

Upon arrest, the U.S. serviceman claimed not to remember the incident, saying he had consumed “too much alcohol” on Friday.

South Korean authorities transferred custody of the soldier to U.S. authorities according to the Status of Forces Agreement.

The U.S. retains a 28,500-strong military presence in South Korea.

American personnel arrested for suspected crimes in Korea are generally handed over to U.S. military law enforcement.

But revisions made in 2001 allow local police to retain custody of U.S. suspects in some exceptions, including when the suspect is accused of committing a serious crime such as murder, or is caught in the act of the crime, according to the U.S. Forces Korea website.

By Jeong Hunny (hj257@heraldcorp.com)