A student reported having her cell phone stolen on Jan. 18 by two men pretending to be mentally disabled.

Masayo Takayama Sa, who is studying Chinese, said she was walking to the library around 6:30 pm when she was approached by two men outside the Student Services building who asked to borrow her cell phone.

“I don’t normally let people use my phone,” Takayama said, but she was persuaded because the two men appeared to have speech and hearing difficulties. Takayama has experience working with autistic individuals and said the men’s act of having a mental disability was convincing.

Takayama said the two men returned the phone to her and asked to be taken to the Administration building, a request she complied with. After walking past the Baldwin Winery, the men asked to borrow Takayama’s phone again. After she gave them her phone, the men ran towards Stevens Creek Boulevard.

Takayama said she pursued them for a short distance but stopped when the men ran into a poorly lit area. She then went to the library and informed a clerk of the incident, whereupon the clerk contacted police.

Takayama described one man as a 5’4″ heavyset caucausian with a star pattern shaved into his head and the other as a skinny 5’4″ Hispanic or Filipino.

Takayama said the heavyset man’s SJSU sweatshirt helped convince her he was a student. She was also impressed by his footspeed.

“This guy’s chubby, but a very good runner. Incredible,” she said.

Foothill De-Anza police chief Ronald Levine said he was not aware of any similar cases taking place previously.