A Louisiana Man Gets 40 Years in Prison for Stealing Sneakers at Knifepoint

A man receives a hefty sentence for his heinous crime.

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Reported acts of crime and violence surrounding sneakers have long been apart of sneaker culture's dark side. Despite initiatives made by sneaker brands and retailers to subdue it, the problem is still all too common today. While the issue has generally been a result of desperation and desire to own coveted kicks among the teen demographic, a 40-year-old man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for stealing sneakers.

According to Dothan Eagle, Dothan, La., resident Matthew Joseph Brewer was arrested and charged with felony first-degree robbery in May 2014 for his role in robbing the Shoe Show, a local sneaker store, at knifepoint.

Found guilty for making away with cash and three pairs of sneakers, Houston County Circuit Court Judge Brad Mendheim handed Brewer a hefty sentence for the nature of his crime. Mendheim said Brewer put a knife to the throat of an employee and locked her inside a back room of the business. It was also reported the judge took into consideration a pending attempted murder charge Brewer had for severely beating his landlord – presumably not over sneakers.

Crime — even at resale values — doesn't pay.