CHIBA —
A high school girl was knocked to the ground by an unknown assailant who proceeded to steal one of her socks before making his escape in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, police said Friday.

According to police, the 16-year-old girl was walking home from school at around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday when the incident occurred, TV Asahi reported. She was quoted by police as saying that a man grabbed her ankle, forced her to the ground and pulled her left sock from her foot. Police say the girl was not injured in the attack.

The girl’s assailant escaped on foot following the incident. He was described as being in his 30s, around 160 cm tall and wearing a black down jacket.

Police say they believe this incident may be linked to three similar cases which have been reported since September in which high school girls had socks stolen while walking home.