Residents of the Zehlendorf neighbourhood in Berlin had reported to the local media that around 100 shoes had mysteriously gone missing from outside homes.

The sly thief was only caught out after resident Christian Meyer had his running shoes taken and started an online search for the offender.

After Mr Meyer posted about his shoes online other residents came forward with their stories of missing shoes. Mr Meyer later spotted the fox carrying a pair of blue flip flops in its mouth and even managed to snap a photo.

Mr Meyer was able to uncover a small haul of shoes from the fox but has so far not recovered his missing running shoes.