After more than a decade of searching, a pair of ruby slippers stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids has been found.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. - Some ruby slippers that are a storied part of Hollywood history have been found 13 years after they were stolen from a Minnesota museum.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Tuesday the ruby slippers worn by Minnesota-born actress Judy Garland in the classic movie "The Wizard of Oz" were seized in a sting operation conducted in Minneapolis earlier this summer.

The case broke when a man approached the company that had insured the shoes, Markel Corporation, about a year ago and said he had information about the shoes and how they could be returned. According to the FBI, it was an apparent extortion plot.

In July 2018, the slippers were seized in a sting operation in Minneapolis.

The authenticity of the slippers was verified by comparing them with another pair at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and stolen from the actress’ namesake museum in Minnesota more than a decade ago, has been recovered: https://t.co/5HsUe163VF pic.twitter.com/edKUFiwWpf — FBI (@FBI) September 4, 2018

The slippers were taken from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids in August of 2005 when someone gained entrance by breaking the window on an emergency exit door and broke into the small display case housing the slippers. Investigators say the smash-and-grab took 45 seconds or less.

Jamie Koffel, a board member of the Judy Garland Museum, said the museum staff didn't anticipate the return of the slippers, but remains hopeful they can make it back to the museum someday.

"The two most surreal days at the museum, the day the slippers were stolen and today. It’s been a hectic day we are learning at the same speed as everyone else. Hopefully we will get them back here at some point, but with the insurance company, that is going to be a lot to tangle out," said Koffel.

FBI Special Agent in Charge-Minneapolis Division Jill Sanborn said while investigators have identified suspects and have executed multiple search warrants in Minnesota and Florida, they are seeking the public's help in identifying anyone associated with the initial theft and more recent extortion plot. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or at https://tips.fbi.gov.

"At the heart of nearly every art crime we see greed woven into the fabric of the scheme," said Sanborn. "Greed to take it, and greed to profit from its return. Dorothy's slippers are a treasured piece of Americana, and we are hoping members of the public can help us better fill in the details that will finish the script of this mystery so we can hold accountable all those who were behind the scheme."

While speculation on who was responsible for stealing the ruby slippers has ranged from professional thieves to drunken teens, this was no small take: The ruby slippers were insured for $1 million.

"The ruby slippers are the Holy Grail of all Hollywood memorabilia," said Rhys Thomas, author of "The Ruby Slippers of Oz." "Value today ... the last pair sold for $2 million privately."

Thomas estimated this pair, if sold, could sell for up to $7 million.

The Grand Rapids Police Department received many tips over the years, from someone claiming to have seen the slippers at a truck stop in Missouri, to an iron ore pit in northern Minnesota. At one point, dive teams even searched mine pits for a glimmer of the sparkling shoes.

"They are more than just a pair of shoes, the slippers, they are an enduring symbol of the power of belief. And I know I speak for everyone in our Grand Rapids community when I say that we are very, very pleased that the public again has the potential opportunity to view this piece of Hollywood's most treasured piece of our nation's film history," said Chief Scott Johnson, Grand Rapids Police Chief.

John Fricke, of New York City, is a Wizard of Oz historian, and authored seven books related to the film, as well as produced an Emmy-award winning documentary on the movie.

"The ruby slippers are an important part of the Oz legend. This was calamitous. To have them go so precipitously fractured everybody, and the fact the mystery went on and on, I don’t think any of us thought they’d be recovered,” said Fricke. “I think it’s extraordinary the FBI gets called in on a ruby slipper case. This is part of the magic of Oz, it just doesn’t quit and it embraces everybody.”