FUKUOKA (TR) – Police in Fukuoka City have arrested a 41-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted his ex-wife and stole her belongings earlier this week, reports TV Asahi (June 18).
Masanao Fujiyama, a self-proclaimed painter residing in Chuo Ward, is accused of attacking his 42-year-old ex-wife on a street in Sawara Ward at approximately 6:30 p.m. on June 15.
According to police, Fujiyama violently yanked the woman’s bag, knocking her to the ground, before fleeing with the bag and its contents, which included clothing valued at around 15,000 yen. The victim suffered minor injuries to her knee during the altercation.
The incident came to light after a witness who saw the assault dialed police. Responding officers located Fujiyama on a nearby street about an hour later and took him into custody based on the victim’s statements.
During questioning on suspicion of robbery resulting in injury, Fujiyama completely denied the robbery charges. “I didn’t steal her bag,” he told investigators. “I just wanted to talk to her.”
However, police revealed that the victim had visited a local police station just a week prior to consult with officers, reporting that her ex-husband had been relentlessly pressuring her to reconcile. Authorities are now investigating the robbery as a likely escalation of his attempts to force a relationship.
