Society

Osaka fugitive allegedly chased women

Aug 18 (NHK) - Investigators in Osaka Prefecture say a suspect who fled a police station 5 days ago chased women on a motorcycle as he apparently hunted for bag-snatching targets.

Junya Hida allegedly stole a black motorcycle after escaping from Tondabayashi police station on Sunday night. Police believe the 30 year-old has been snatching bags in ride-by attacks since a day after the escape.

Investigators now say 2 women have reported being chased by a man on a black motorcycle in Tondabayashi on Monday night.

They say the women's descriptions of a rider in a black helmet match those of a man who snatched a purse in the neighboring city of Habikino about one hour later.

Hida has a record of charges for mugging women to snatch their bags.

Before he fled the police station, he was charged with robbery, assault and theft, and was under arrest over a case of attempted sexual assault.

Hida escaped from police custody after meeting with a lawyer. He broke out after kicking loose an acrylic partition that separates detainees and visitors.

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