Kenmore’s oddest crime story has reached its final chapter. Police have charged a man accused of stealing 53 right-foot boots from a local shoe shop, and the entire haul has now been returned, safe and slightly more famous than before.
The alleged theft took place on the night of July 7 at Shoe Fashions in Kenmore, where a man reportedly helped himself to every right boot on the store’s sale table, which until now had never lost a single shoe in 29 years.
Arrest Made, Boots Recovered
A 49-year-old man from Mount Gravatt East was arrested on July 18 at Broadbeach. He has been charged with entering a premises and committing an indictable offence. Police said the man was identified with the help of CCTV and public tips, and appeared in Southport Magistrates Court the same day.
Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Blyth called the case one of the more unusual thefts officers have dealt with, noting that, while odd, the investigation was handled like any serious offence. All 53 stolen boots have since been recovered and returned to the store.
The Store Speaks: “Bootiful News!”
Shoe Fashions Kenmore shared the news of the boots’ safe return in an upbeat post on Instagram, jokingly referring to the case as “The Great Right Boot Heist.” The store said the missing shoes had completed their “adventure around Brisvegas” and returned with a bit of “criminal fame,” but still looking “fab.”
In the post, the shop thanked Queensland Police for their “sole search” work and credited the media and community for helping spread the word. They also invited customers to come and finally reunite with their long-awaited boots.
“We would love for you to come and help give these boots the happily ever after they deserve,” the post read, calling out to anyone who had been waiting for their “RIGHTful” pair to return.
A Local Mystery Turned Community Moment
Shop owner Tamara Shorrock confirmed that the right-foot boots — worth around $7,000 on sale — had been taken while the table was covered overnight. Since the incident, the store has started bringing the shoes inside after hours.
Shorrock said that in nearly three decades of trading, they had never had anything stolen from the sale display until now. The experience has left the team both puzzled and touched by the support, jokes, and genuine concern from their Kenmore community.
“We’re still scratching our heads,” she said earlier, adding that the kindness and humour shared by locals showed just how connected the suburb really is.
Published 18-July-2025
