Tokyo thief steals 448 pairs of high-heeled shoes from hostess clubs

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Monday announced the arrest of a 28-year-old male for stealing high-heeled shoes from hostess clubs in Tokyo and Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Jan. 29).

Officers from the Ikebukuro Police Station took Sho Sato into custody on theft charges.

In a search of a rental unit leased by Sato, police seized 448 pairs of high-heeled shoes.

“I had no interest in selling the high-heeled shoes. Rather, it was a joy to be stealing them,” Sato told police in admitting to the allegations, according to TV Asahi (Jan. 29).

In one case occurring on November 1 of last year, Sato allegedly entered a high-end club in the Ginza entertainment area of Chuo Ward and stole a total of 14 high-heeled shoes and a number of cosmetics (valued at 550,000 yen) from inside a locker.

“A club’s locker is like a treasure chest,” the suspect said.

Police became aware of the thefts after Sato was discovered stealing cash from a club in the Ikebukuro red-light district of Toshima Ward by an employee on January 6.

Sato was subsequently turned over to police and charged with theft. During the investigation, the contract with the rental company was discovered and a search carried out.