TOKYO (AP) — In a surprising turn of events at a kindergarten in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, authorities initially suspected a shoe thief was targeting the school. However, a closer look at security footage revealed the real culprit: a playful weasel.
The security cameras, recently installed at the kindergarten, captured footage of the weasel running around with a small shoe in its mouth. “It’s great it turned out not to be a human being,” expressed Deputy Police Chief Hiroaki Inada in an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday. This revelation brought relief to teachers and parents who had concerns about a possible individual with a shoe fetish lurking around the school.
At Japanese homes, it is customary for residents to remove their shoes before entering. The stolen shoes were all indoor slip-ons, neatly stored in cubbyholes located by the entrance of the school.
Known for their habit of hiding items, weasels are often given toys by pet owners to stash away. This particular weasel demonstrated this behavior by scattering shoes all around the kindergarten, having taken a total of 15 shoes before the police were alerted. The mischievous creature returned the next day to snatch six more shoes and made yet another appearance on November 11, successfully stealing one additional shoe on camera.
Interestingly, the weasel seemed to have a preference for lightweight white canvas indoor shoes, which were easier for it to carry. Kindergarten director Yoshihide Saito mentioned, “We were so relieved,” while speaking to Japanese broadcaster RKB Mainichi Broadcasting, sharing the lighter side of the situation.
In good spirits, the children found the weasel’s antics amusing when they viewed the video footage. Although the missing shoes were never located, measures have since been taken to ensure the remaining footwear is safe—nets have been installed over the cubbyholes to prevent further thefts.
As for the weasel, which is believed to be wild, it remains at large, continuing its adventures around the area.
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