A Michael Jackson-signed pair of shoes that were stolen from a Philadelphia auction have been returned to their owner.

This similar pair of signed Jackson shoes sold in 2012 for $5,000

The loafers were stolen from the Loews Hotel on January 19, where the annual Hair O' the Dog 2013 event - a black-tie evening with all proceeds going to charity - was being held. The shoes, worth an estimated $5,000 based on auction precedents, were then returned the following day, after they were found in the back of a limousine.

In a seemingly sophisticated move, security workers that had been guarding the shoes were distracted by a commotion down the hallway and returned to find that the pair had disappeared. However, it was later discovered that the real thief was far from the smooth criminal the police thought they were dealing with...

"Apparently someone picked the shoes up and they were drunk. They went outside, they went to find a ride to the after party, they hopped in a limo with a bunch of girls and they were so drunk they forgot them," rightful owner Martino Cartier told Action News.

Cartier no longer wishes to press charges, although it remains a mystery why the accidental thief also made off with the accompanying certificate of authenticity. Cartier was reportedly just relieved that his charity, Friends are by your Side, would receive more publicity after his story was broadcast on air.

Cartier's thriller stresses the importance of finding suitable storage for your collectibles. When you buy any of Paul Fraser Collectibles' Michael Jackson memorabilia, we'll be happy to provide free insured storage so that you can avoid similar situations.