Cops theorise recent popularity the cause

Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

The St Catherine North police believe that thieves are targeting stores that sell the popular Clarks shoes, after two stores in the Linstead were recently robbed of several pairs of the footwear.

Two men, who were found with a number of the shoes in their possession, have since been taken into custody by the Linstead police.

Reports reaching THE STAR are that about 8 a.m. yesterday, police searched two houses in August Town and Prospect in Bog Walk, and seized a number of the shoes that are believed to have been stolen.

Last week, thieves broke into a store located on King Street and another on Gillette Street. The police told THE STAR that more than $2 million worth of Clarks shoes have been stolen from the two stores in Linstead.

popular shoes

"Criminals are really targeting the stores and taking the Clarks shoes. So far they have stolen the popular shoes from two places. However. we are making progress in the probe," an investigator said.

THE STAR was told that the men were apparently so caught up in the thrill that in one store they took only the right shoe from a pair, leaving the left behind.

Police say that further investigations are being carried out. Up to late last night the names of the men were being withheld.

Since the release of the hit song Clarks by Vybz Kartel, Popcaan and Gaza Slim, the UK-based brand has seen a rise in popularity among Jamaican men. A recent story published in THE STAR illustrated just how popular the shoes had become, with news that vendors in the downtown area have seen increased clientele and had even upped their prices.