At face value, a foot fetish may seem like a harmless craving, but when a person breaks the law to fuel his or her fancy, the consequences can be quite serious.

According to the ISU Police log from Jan. 8, Grace Mututo reported a pair of her shoes had been stolen from a hallway area in Schilletter Village. This is not the first time a pair of women’s shoes has gone missing from these housing units.

ISU Police Commander Gene Deisinger said there have been previous related episodes involving a Des Moines man, although the connection to this most recent incident is still alleged, and is therefore considered unrelated.

A majority of Schilletter Village’s residents are international students – over 60 percent – and cultural traditions that involve removing one’s shoes before entering a room make their shoes an easy target.

In spring 1999, Rusty Wayne Sills, of Des Moines, was charged and convicted of theft for stealing shoes from female ISU students living at Schilletter Village.

When Sills was arrested in August 1999, police recovered approximately 500 pairs of women’s shoes from his home, as well as women’s panties, bras and socks.

“This is a classic case of fetishism, which according to most contemporary diagnoses, is only defined as such when there is harm or recognized loss of control by the first party,” said Andrew Hochstetler, associate professor of sociology. “It is a sexual attraction associated with something other than sex.”

Paraphilia, a type of mental disorder characterized by an obsession with unusual sexual practices, may also be a factor, Hochstetler said.

“Many of the rewards of the crime are intrinsic, and the thrill or rush are what keep many offenders going,” Hochstetler said. “All offenders play with and somewhat enjoy risk.”

Such chronic habits of crime may be strange and difficult to understand.

Some people think they are also dangerous.

“The fun in shoplifting is crossing the threshold of the door with a secret, and burglars love finding something that their victims tried to hide,” Hochstetler said. “I would say this person is at a very high risk of continuing to act on this compulsion.”

Being cautious to such oddities by taking extra care with your possessions may be the only way to protect your footwear from being stolen.

“Until we find that something is afoot, we wouldn’t want to raise concern,” said Virginia Arthur, associate director of the Department of Residence.

“We urge students to follow the handbook policy, which enforces not leaving personal possessions in the hallway, as it is a common space.”