Thief of Ruby Slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' Film Pleads Guilty

The investigation into the theft of the iconic props - the Ruby Slippers from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota - has been ongoing since the audacious yet relatively unsophisticated robbery in 2005. The slippers, which were insured for $1 million (with their current market value estimated at $3.5 million), were recovered in 2018 during an FBI operation. However, the identity of the thief remained unknown until 2023.

The culprit was identified as 76-year-old American Terry John Martin, who resides just 12 kilometers from the scene of the crime, according to the Associated Press. It was discovered that the naïve thief genuinely believed that the ruby slippers, famously worn by Dorothy in the classic Hollywood film "The Wizard of Oz," were adorned with real rubies. The hapless thief was deeply disappointed to learn from the recipients of his stolen property that the "precious stones" on the shoes were, in fact, ordinary glass.

Terry Martin gained unauthorized access to the museum through a back exit, used a regular hammer to remove the slippers from their display case, and made his getaway. At the time, the museum's security cameras were not operational, making it nearly impossible to find any leads to track down the perpetrator.

The search for the stolen slippers continued for many years. Several tempting rewards were offered in the hopes of their recovery. Law enforcement agencies initially offered a $250,000 reward when the investigation began, and an anonymous benefactor from Arizona contributed a $1 million reward in 2015.

The path to the missing slippers was unveiled when, in 2017, Terry Martin likely enticed by the promised generous reward, informed the insurer of the footwear that he could help recover the stolen items. Following nearly a year of FBI investigation, the slippers were seized in Minneapolis in July 2018. At that time, the FBI stated that no one had been arrested or charged in connection with the case.

In May 2023, Martin received a summons to appear in court, and during court hearings in October, he pleaded guilty. The suspect's attorney, Dane DeKrey, revealed that his client's health is extremely poor. However, the federal judge insists on a rather severe sentence, ranging from 8 to 10 years in prison for the charge of grand theft of a major artwork.

Until the sentence is handed down, the accused, who is currently only able to move about in a wheelchair, will remain free.