Police arrest shoe snatcher with penchant for women's feet
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TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- Police in southern Japan arrested a man for stealing shoes at a local hospital, then later stumbled upon a collection in his home of 440 women's shoes -- all for the left foot, an official said Sunday.
The private hospital in Usu city began receiving complaints two years ago from patients and employees that shoes removed at the entrance hall were going missing. In Japan, it is customary to take off one's shoes before entering homes and some public facilities.
The missing footwear was always women's shoes and for the left foot, a local police spokesman said on condition of anonymity.
Police arrested Ichiro Irie, 45, Saturday on suspicion of stealing two shoes at the hospital.
In a subsequent search of his home, police found a box overflowing with the left side to 440 pairs of women's shoes, including high heels, patent leather pumps, sandals and nurses' shoes.
When questioned, Irie told police he had "a penchant for women's feet," the major daily Yomiuri newspaper said. It wasn't clear why he seemed to prefer the left foot.
Irie was charged with theft. It wasn't immediately clear what punishment he faces.
Given the number of shoes he allegedly swiped, police are investigating whether Irie may have been stealing from other locations. Usu lies about 800 kilometers (505 miles) south of Tokyo.
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