Overview
- Officers recovered 170 pairs of partly used women’s shoes during an apartment search in April and secured the items as evidence.
- Police had traced the suspect to a December break‑in in Berndorf and later arrested a 56‑year‑old man who now sits in pretrial detention after refusing to answer questions.
- Investigators say the shoes were likely taken from outside apartment doors in the Baden district and describe the pattern as consistent with a foot fetish motive.
- Many seized items were branded sneakers and police say they did not appear to be collected for resale, so they published photos and asked women who recognise their footwear to contact Polizeiinspektion Berndorf at 059133-3304.
- The investigation is ongoing and could produce further charges if owners are identified or additional offences are uncovered, and authorities are seeking witnesses and victims to help map the full scope of the thefts.