The sickle- and knife-wielding man who stabbed an 87-year-old man to death and wounded his 81-year-old wife Monday at their home in Meguro Ward, Tokyo, remains at large, police said, adding the victims apparently thought the attacker was a parcel deliveryman.

Michio Ohara died after being stabbed in the side by the man at around 4:40 p.m. in front of the entrance to his home, while his wife suffered a minor cut to her right hand. The attacker fled the scene.

The man, described as about 60 years old, 160 cm tall and dressed in dark clothing, was apparently unknown to the couple and managed to evade their neighbors, who tried to subdue and chase after him, according to the police.

Police found the bloodstained sickle, with a 15-cm blade, and fruit knife on the street 30 meters from the house.

The attacker rang the doorbell and when Ohara opened the door, suddenly jumped on him armed with the knife and sickle, shouting, "I'll kill you."

The wife told police that she had thought the man was from a parcel delivery company.