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Tokyo cops: Man used tools to sever thumb of ballet teacher in Shibuya

Outside the ballet studio in Shibuya Ward
Outside the ballet studio in Shibuya Ward

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Wednesday arrested a 41-year-old chiropractor for allegedly using tools to cut off the thumb of his former ballet teacher in her studio in Shibuya Ward, reports NHK (July 6).

At approximately 8:30 a.m., police received a call from man who said that he had “cut off the thumb off a woman.” Officers arriving at the studio, located near JR Shibuya Station, found the woman, 24, collapsed with the thumb of her right hand severed at the base.

Police subsequently arrested Hiroaki Hashimoto at the scene on charges of inflicting injury. “I had a grudge since she refused to let me participate in practice,” the suspect is quoted by officers from the Shibuya Police Station.

According to the victim, the suspect grabbed her hair, climbed atop her and choked her until she passed out. “When I awoke, I noticed my thumb had been cut off,” the victim said, according to Nippon News Network (July 6).

According to the Sankei Shimbun (July 6), the suspect used a hammer and chisel to remove her thumb.