$13,000 Theft of Right-Foot-Only Shoes
In a bizarre and somewhat comical crime that took place in Peru, a group of thieves stole over 200 sneakers from a shoe store in the city of Huancayo. The theft might have seemed like a successful heist at first glance, but there was a major flaw in the plan: every single shoe they stole was meant for the right foot only.
The Not Quite a Pair-fect Crime
The robbery, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, involved three criminals who broke into the store after several attempts to cut the padlock. The thieves carried out the sneakers using a tricycle, apparently unaware that they had only grabbed the right shoes, leaving the left ones behind. The stolen goods were valued at approximately 50,000 Peruvian Soles, or about $13,400.
This unusual crime has garnered a lot of attention, not only for its sheer oddity but also for the challenges it presents to the thieves themselves. Without the matching left shoes, the stolen sneakers are virtually worthless on the market. Even if they attempted to sell them, the prospects are dim — who would buy a single right shoe?
Sole-Searching Shop Owner
The store owner, understandably, was left in a state of disbelief. With all their valuable inventory halved in utilization, the loss is significant despite the thieves' error. Local authorities, who have the criminals' actions caught on CCTV, expressed confidence in catching them. They noted that the thieves left behind several clues, including fingerprints, which could lead to their swift apprehension.
This incident raises an interesting point about the resale market for stolen goods. While stealing high-value items like sneakers can be lucrative, it only works if the items are complete. The sneaker resale market, worth billions globally, relies on buyers looking for pristine, often collectible pairs. A mismatched or incomplete pair doesn’t fit the bill, leaving these thieves in a precarious position — likely with a haul that's impossible to offload without arousing suspicion or mockery.
Heel-arious Aftermath
In fact, the absurdity of the crime has led to widespread amusement, both in Peru and internationally. Social media users have joked about the thieves' apparent lack of foresight, with some suggesting that they might have to settle for selling the right shoes at half price — or worse, discard them altogether.
Ultimately, this failed heist serves as a reminder that not all crimes are meticulously planned, and even the best-laid plans can go hilariously awry when key details are overlooked. It's a strange story, but one that's sure to leave many shaking their heads — or, more likely, laughing at the misfortune of these rather unlucky criminals.
References: Thieves made off with 200 sneakers worth over $13,000 — but they were all just for the right foot: report | Thieves made off with 200 sneakers worth over $13,000 — but they were all just for the right foot: report | Sneaker thieves steal $13K worth of right-foot sneakers: report | The Great Trainer Robbery: Thieves make off with 200 sneakers... but all for the right foot
