A Hayes Valley mugger used a curious ploy to get near his victim Friday — reportedly pretending to be blind, even though he was not.

It was 1 p.m. Friday, on the 300 block of Octavia Boulevard, which is between Oak and Fell Streets.

A 45-year-old woman was walking down Octavia, when she heard a man in his late 30s following her down the street. The man was, according to the San Francisco Police Department, "pretending to be blind," as he approached. However, when he got within arm's reach, he grabbed her backpack from her, then fled on foot...apparently sighted after all.

As of Monday morning, police say that no arrests have been made in the case, and the suspect hasn't been seen since.