News Scuba-clad man robs Disney Springs restaurant, swims away

[mkt]

Scuba-clad man robs Disney Springs restaurant, swims away

Deputies are searching for a man they say robbed a popular Disney Springs restaurant by swimming up in scuba gear and a wetsuit and then swimming away.

www.wftv.com

Scuba-clad man robs Disney Springs restaurant, swims away

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Investigators are searching for a man they say robbed a popular Disney Springs restaurant by swimming up in scuba gear and a wetsuit and then swimming away after he stole thousands of dollars.

The robber hit the Paddlefish restaurant shortly after midnight Monday, after it closed to guests, according to a report released by the sheriff’s office.

Deputies said the man found a place to store his wet suit and scuba gear before walking into the manager’s office, where cash from the night was being counted and deposited into a safe.


The report shows the man forced two employees to go to the corner of the room and told them to close their eyes. The report is heavily redacted, but sources familiar with the investigation said he tied the employees up.


The man stole between $10,000 and $20,000, per the pending charge. The employees said he left within two minutes, and they called 911 after freeing themselves.

Neither of the employees were hurt and the man did not brandish any weapons, the report said.

After leaving the replica steamboat, investigators believe the man donned his scuba gear and jumped back into the pond. A search for the man immediately after the robbery was reported yielded no results.

A picture released by the agency showed the man appearing to spray paint a security camera. The employees described the man wearing tight clothing and a blue beanie. They said he was slim and approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall.


The owners of Paddlefish referred all questions to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office said the investigation was ongoing.

The restaurant opened as normal to guests at noon on Monday. There was no obvious signs of an increase in security around the Paddlefish, though the tourist attraction is normally under extremely tight security by Disney staff and sheriff’s deputies, much of which is not visible to the public.

 

[littleroo]

My guess, an inside job! The guy knew where the office was and knew where the cameras were located.

 

[Andrew C]

Is this real life?

 

[Grantwil93]

Craaaazzzzyyyyy

 

[Gringrinngghost]

Scuba-clad man robs Disney Springs restaurant, swims away

Deputies are searching for a man they say robbed a popular Disney Springs restaurant by swimming up in scuba gear and a wetsuit and then swimming away.

www.wftv.com

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayne...

 

[Lilofan]

in those waters… Either the thief escaped or became a late night snack.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

My guess, an inside job! The guy knew where the office was and knew where the cameras were located.

and no one tried to stop him. He was apparently without weapons. It was just a little too lucky to get onboard as they were counting the cash, to me............

 

[ppete1975]

and no one tried to stop him. He was apparently without weapons. It was just a little too lucky to get onboard as they were counting the cash, to me............

I am sure Disney (or owners of the restaurant) have a no fight back just comply rule. But if you are ever in this situation or if you have kids that work anywhere. Never comply unless there is no other way and they have a weapon. Run or fight.
For the person to have no weapon there is no reason to comply, face a corner and allow yourself to be tied up!! They are lucky to be alive. Run away if you cant grab something heavy or sharp. Your survivability is much higher if you fight back.
Although I am sure they are being questioned as this all sounds like an inside job.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I am sure Disney (or owners of the restaurant) have a no fight back just comply rule. But if you are ever in this situation or if you have kids that work anywhere. Never comply unless there is no other way and they have a weapon. Run or fight.
For the person to have no weapon there is no reason to comply, face a corner and allow yourself to be tied up!! They are lucky to be alive. Run away if you cant grab something heavy or sharp. Your survivability is much higher if you fight back.
Although I am sure they are being questioned as this all sounds like an inside job.

Yep. If it was me I wouldn't fight! I'd go to the corner like they did and be glad that there was no violence.

 

[Andrew C]

Yep. If it was me I wouldn't fight! I'd go to the corner like they did and be glad that there was no violence.

I would have presented him with a riddle to confuse him. Then make a daring escape.

All jokes aside, I feel bad for the employees that went though this. Not an experience anyone should have to deal with.

 

[SteveAZee]

Turning your hobby into a career.

 

[nickys]

and no one tried to stop him. He was apparently without weapons. It was just a little too lucky to get onboard as they were counting the cash, to me............

I can understand not fighting back.

But this still sounds like an inside job. They knew where to stash their kit, how to find their way to where the money was, where the cameras were, what security features were …..

 

[JIMINYCR]

I am sure Disney (or owners of the restaurant) have a no fight back just comply rule. But if you are ever in this situation or if you have kids that work anywhere. Never comply unless there is no other way and they have a weapon. Run or fight.
For the person to have no weapon there is no reason to comply, face a corner and allow yourself to be tied up!! They are lucky to be alive. Run away if you cant grab something heavy or sharp. Your survivability is much higher if you fight back.
Although I am sure they are being questioned as this all sounds like an inside job.

Most corporations have this policy. Let the bad guy go with whatever they want, keep employees non confrontational and safe. The loss of $$$ or product can be written off as theft or recovered after the fact by good police work.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I can understand not fighting back.

But this still sounds like an inside job. They knew where to stash their kit, how to find their way to where the money was, where the cameras were, what security features were …..

Or he just watched for a while to understand the workings of the business, made good plans in preparation and were lucky no one intervened.

 

[nickys]

Or he just watched for a while to understand the workings of the business, made good plans in preparation and were lucky no one intervened.

Watched what? This happened in the back rooms didn’t it?
Of course he could have done some watching from across the water with binoculars, zoom lens, looked for lights on etc.
Still seems very suspicious to me.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Watched what? This happened in the back rooms didn’t it?
Of course he could have done some watching from across the water with binoculars, zoom lens, looked for lights on etc.
Still seems very suspicious to me.

Doesn't take much to find the office in the back. Most restaurants don't have multiple rooms in back.
I'm not discounting that it could be an inside job, just saying it didn't have to be.

 

[lunchbox1175]

I was a restaurant manager for many years. Most companies have security systems in place like safe codes that will open the door and alert the police, or hidden switches. You are told to do nothing more than that, even the company you work for will tell you your life isn't worth the $60k salary you are making and the probably less than $5k they are going to get away with.