Kenmore shoppers are shaking their heads after a lone thief made off with more than 50 right-foot boots, leaving a family-run shoe shop stuck with the world’s saddest collection of lefties.
The strange Kenmore shoe theft unfolded around 7:35 p.m. on July 7 at a shopping centre on Brookfield Road. CCTV shows a man, suitcase in hand, calmly helping himself to every right boot on a sale table before strolling out as if mismatched footwear is the next big trend.
An Odd Haul Leaves Locals Laughing — and Wondering Why
Tamara Shorrock, who runs Shoe Fashions in Kenmore, says the thief didn’t even bother to hide his face while gathering up the one thing shoe stores deliberately don’t sell solo — single right shoes. The practice of putting out only the right foot is meant to stop shoplifters from nicking a full pair. The plan worked — sort of.
Instead of losing a few pairs, the store is now out about $6,000 in stock and stuck with dozens of left boots that have no dance partner. Shorrock says it’s obvious the thief knew what he was doing — or perhaps didn’t think it through at all.
Bring Them Back — No Awkward Questions Asked
Queensland Police are investigating and asking the community for help to track down the man behind the Kenmore shoe theft. Locals are just as puzzled, asking what good a pile of right boots does anyone. Maybe the thief has a one-legged shoe stall somewhere?
Shorrock says the thief can still fix this awkward mess: slip the boots back under the sale table at night, wear a hat, put on a mask. She promises there’ll be no questions, no awkward chats about what inspired this lopsided haul.
Kenmore’s Unbalanced Boot Mystery
As the community swaps theories, one thing’s for sure: Kenmore is now home to a pile of lonely left boots and a shopkeeper hoping for a happy ending to the most confusing robbery in town.
Police urge anyone with information to quote reference number QP2501199901 and contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
Watch the heist unfold:
Published 10-July-2025
