4 Americans on MP Duty Arrested, Held 8 Hours in Panama

PANAMA CITY — Four American military police officers were arrested while on duty, the Pentagon said today. A pro-government newspaper said police confiscated guns, maps and U.S. government documents from them.

The newspaper Critica said Panamanian police detained Danny Feltro, William Jerry, Tammy Markley and Richard Virts near the University of Panama at about 3 p.m. Thursday.

The Pentagon said the four were released after about eight hours.

Photographs of three men and a woman were published in the paper as well as a separate photograph showing pistols, jackets and identification cards.

The newspaper said the soldiers also were carrying “military implements,” maps and U.S. government documents and said, “This activity is a threat to the security of the Panamanian state.”