FBI aids in probe Federal agents and Honolulu police are investigating theft of classified military files from the car of a military officer who with three other officers stopped for a swim last month at Waimea Bay, the U.S. Pacific Command confirmed yesterday.
of stolen secrets
Disks with classified military
data are taken from a car
as officers take a dipStaff and news reports
"We are investigating this particular case, but I can't give any details about it. ... I'll let what's in the media stand," said FBI spokesman Kevin Rickett yesterday.
The files on computer compact discs were labeled "Top Secret" and were among items taken from the trunk of the car parked at Waimea Bay on June 14, according to a KHON-TV report.
The files are so sensitive that President Bush was notified shortly after they were taken, the station said, quoting unnamed sources.
"This has turned into a national story. ... CNN has called several times already," Rickett noted.
Officials would not say whether the files have been found.
Navy Capt. John Singley, the Pacific Command's public affairs officer, said, "We are investigating the possible loss of classified materials."
He declined to characterize the level of security placed on the missing files and said he had no knowledge about Bush having been notified.
Singley, reached in the Philippines, said he does not believe anyone had been arrested, adding that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has the lead in the case with assistance from the military and Honolulu police.
A source close to the investigation told the Star- Bulletin that several suspects have been identified and that law enforcement was working on locating them.
Four Army and Air Force officers were together when the documents were stolen, said a defense official in Washington who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Singley said it is premature to discuss possible discipline, if any, of the midranking officers who had custody of the classified materials.
Last month, there were 13 car break-ins reported to police for the North Shore patrol area that includes Waimea Beach Park.
Police identified for federal investigators a number of individuals who have been suspects in past break-ins at the popular beach, said Sgt. Robert Olmos at the Wahiawa police station.
"All we were told is that it was some highly classified information that involved national security," he said. "I don't know if they have picked anyone up yet."
Teams of federal agents raided a home on July 5 in Wahiawa in connection with the investigation, but residents there said they knew nothing about the theft.
"Just a whole barrage of cars came one time. It was scary. If you got children, it was scary for them because innocent bystanders can get hurt," said Tammy Simer, a neighbor, in a report broadcast by KHON.
Rose Wiley, another neighbor, estimated that 50 agents took part in the raid, which she said came after agents had staked out the area for more than a week.
The neighbors were shown mug shots of suspects in the theft.
The case is so sensitive, according to one federal official, that it has spawned a separate investigation aimed at finding who in the military, the FBI or other federal agencies is leaking information to the media.
Waimea Bay is known for its spectacular surf during winter months and its clear and quiet waters and broad sand beach in the summer. As with many recreational parking areas in Hawaii, the beach lot is posted with signs warning of car break-ins.
"There's so many break-ins here ... it's pathetic," said Ocean Safety Officer Dave Yester, who said he has been a lifeguard at Waimea for the past 13 years.
"Just today (yesterday), this family from Europe got their passports, credit cards, cash and everything ripped off from them while they were swimming."
"We've got volunteers watching the parking lot, but they can't be here every day. I wish someone would do something about this."
The Associated Press and Star-Bulletin reporter Rod Antone contributed to this report.