A fox has been exposed as a serial shoe thief in the small German town of Foehren.
Residents were baffled after more than 100 items of footwear were stolen from outside their front doors at night over a one-year period, The New Zealand Herald reports.
The mystery was finally solved this week after forest worker Rolf Willerscheidt discovered the hoard of shoes close to the fox's den.
A police spokesman confirmed: "There was everything from ladies' shoes to trainers. We've found between 110 and 120 so far. It seems a vixen stole them for her cubs to play with."
The representative added that the shoes remain in good condition, though many have missing laces.
Meanwhile, the culprit remains at large and no reprisals are planned against her.
Willerscheidt commented: "There have been two more shoe thefts since the shoes were found. My best advice is for people to bring in their shoes at night."
