In southwestern Japan, an unusual case of shoe theft at a kindergarten had authorities initially concerned about a human perpetrator, only to discover a playful weasel was to blame. Security cameras, which had been installed at the school in Fukuoka Prefecture, revealed the furry criminal in action, carrying a small shoe in its mouth.

The incident brought a wave of relief when Deputy Police Chief Hiroaki Inada shared the findings, stating, “It’s great it turned out not to be a human being.” Parents and educators had expressed anxiety that it might be someone with an unusual obsession. In Japan, it is customary for individuals to remove their shoes before entering homes, and in this case, the footwear that went missing were all slip-on shoes that the children used indoors, placed neatly in cubbyholes near the entrance.

Weasels are known for hoarding items, and it is common for those who keep them as pets to provide toys for this very reason. The kindergarten’s shoes had gone missing progressively, with the weasel managing to scatter them around and take a total of 15 before the authorities were notified. On the next day, six more shoes disappeared, and the following week on November 12, the weasel was documented on camera while pilfering yet another shoe.

The peculiar little thief showed a preference for lightweight, white canvas indoor shoes, which were easier for it to carry. In an interview, the director of Gosho Kodomo-en kindergarten, Yoshihide Saito, expressed his relief, telling local broadcaster RKB Mainichi Broadcasting how the situation turned out unexpectedly light-hearted. The children found great amusement in watching the footage of the weasel at work.

Unfortunately, despite the excitement surrounding the discovery of the shoe thief, the stolen footwear has not been recovered. However, to prevent further shoe thefts, the kindergarten has since secured the remaining shoes by covering the cubbyholes with nets. As of now, the weasel, believed to be a wild one, continues to roam freely.