Stolen Ruby Slippers From 'Wizard Of Oz' Recovered: FBI

GRAND RAPIDS, MN — There's no place like home. Stolen from the Judy Garland museum in Minnesota more than a decade ago, the FBI has recovered the famous ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in the "The Wizard of Oz."

The shoes — estimated to be worth several million dollars — were seized in a sting operation conducted in Minneapolis earlier this summer.

The slippers are one of several pairs used in the production of the classic film. Among the most recognizable memorabilia in American film history, only four pairs of the shoes are known to remain.

The recovered slippers, known as the "traveling pair," were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in the overnight hours of Aug. 27 and 28, 2005.

Despite an investigation by local authorities, which included interviews, numerous theories, and even searches of abandoned iron ore pits, the slippers were never located and no arrests were made.

The investigation remained a priority for the Grand Rapids Police Department, who requested FBI assistance in 2017 when the extortion plot against the Markel Corporation — which owns the slippers — surfaced.

Agents from the Minneapolis division of the FBI worked with the agency's art crime team throughout the investigation, which is ongoing.

While the FBI has identified suspects and has executed multiple search warrants in Minnesota and Florida in connection with the investigation, authorities are seeking the public’s help to identify everyone involved with the initial theft and a recent scheme to extort the Markel Corporation.

After the recovery in July, the FBI transported the slippers to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. There, conservators conducted an in-depth examination and analysis, including evidence of wear and details unique to their use in the 1939 film.

The examination showed their construction, materials, and wear are consistent with the pair in the museum’s collection, which were donated in 1979.

"When the slippers were snatched in the early morning burglary, the thieves not only took the slippers, they took a piece of history that will be forever connected to Grand Rapids and one of our city’s most famous children," said Grand Rapids police chief Scott Johnson.

"We were confident this day would eventually come, and we are grateful to the FBI and all those who worked to bring this piece of cinematic treasure out of the shadows and into the light."

"After all," he added, quoting the famous line from The Wizard of Oz, 'There’s no place like home.'"

Photo: Original munchkin from 'The Wizard of Oz' Mickey Carroll checks out a pair of ruby red slippers display at the gala screening marking the movie classic's 50th anniversary at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Samuel Goldwyn Theatre October 19, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)