A room piled high with work boots and shoes – believed to be thousands of pairs stolen from houses across the northern suburbs in the past six years – has been uncovered by police.
Whittlesea police uncovered the haul during a search of a Mernda house last week.
The pile comprised more than 2000 pairs of work boots and sneakers.
A Mernda man, 43, was arrested at his Falkirk Drive home on November 13 after police executed a search warrant at the property.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Leonie Johnson said the man had been charged with theft and handling stolen goods.
The discovery follows a police appeal in September after several reports were made about shoes being stolen in the Mernda area.
The appeal gained prominence on social media, with residents contacting Crime Stoppers with information.
“It is alleged the shoes were taken from the front doors of homes in the Doreen, Mernda, Watsonia North and Craigieburn areas over the past six years,” Ms Johnson said.
Anyone whose shoes were stolen will have a chance to be reunited with their footwear, with police vowing to make the haul available for identification by the public at a later date.
Residents have taken to social media in recent days thanking police for catching the alleged thief, with many saying they felt safe to resume leaving their shoes outside their houses again.
The man has been bailed to appear at Heidelberg magistrates court on April 13, 2018.
Police are asking anyone with further information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppers.com.au
