Indoor Shoe Maniac Arrested Again with 5000 Pairs of Shoes in Home

It was an unprecedented theft that left investigators stunned.

On July 29, a man named Shochiku Shina (43), whose occupation is unknown and who resides in Nitta, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, was arrested by the Chiba Prefectural Police on suspicion of theft and other charges. He was accused of stealing 14 pairs of children’s indoor shoes from an elementary school in Kumamoto City.

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“Shochiku Shina was arrested on July 8 for stealing 29 pairs of indoor shoes from another elementary school in Kumamoto City, making this his second arrest. In March of this year, he traveled from his home in Chiba Prefecture to Kumamoto City for a two-night, three-day ‘expedition,’ targeting elementary schools right when classes ended to gain access. He stole indoor shoes from shoe lockers. Although the school buildings and front gate were not locked, making entry easy, surveillance cameras captured Shochiku Shina entering and exiting the school.” (Reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs department)

According to police investigations, Shochiku Shina astonishingly confessed that he had 4,000 to 5,000 pairs of indoor shoes at home. A search of his residence revealed approximately 5,000 pairs, as he had stated.

“The shoes were neatly arranged on shelves and floors, and any excess was stored in cardboard boxes. Shochiku Shina lived with his brother in a three-story house, but he did not allow his brother into the room where the ‘indoor shoe collection’ was kept. His seized computer contained browsing history of a class newsletter featuring photos of the shoe lockers where he committed the thefts. He had checked the entry routes via Street View beforehand, selecting elementary schools that were easy to enter and steal from before going there in person.” (said a source familiar with the investigation)

The indoor shoes stolen by Shochiku Shina belonged to children of various genders and grades, but there was one common factor. According to the earlier source familiar with the investigation:

 

“He only stole used and worn-out indoor shoes. The incidents occurred in March, and the victims were children who were trying to make do with their shoes until graduation or promotion.”

 

While looking at the worn-out shoes at home, one wonders what Shochiku Shina was thinking.