Scuba-Clad Thief Robs Thousands From Disney Springs Restaurant and Escapes by Swimming Away

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An unusual robbery took place at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs: a thief, reportedly wearing scuba gear, stole between $10,000 and $20,000 from the Paddlefish restaurant early Monday morning. The thief then swam away and escaped into the surrounding water, making it a scene straight out of a movie heist.

This bizarre crime is gaining national attention, not just because of the money stolen, but because of how incredibly bold the robbery was. It sounds like something from a movie – a waterfront restaurant, scuba gear, and a getaway in just two minutes – not something that actually happened in Orlando.

What Went Down

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office report details how the incident happened shortly after midnight. Paddlefish restaurant had just closed to customers, but staff were still inside counting money when the suspect, dressed in scuba gear, broke into Disney Springs.

According to WFTV, a man in scuba gear and a wetsuit entered the building through the water and broke into the manager’s office while employees were getting ready to deposit cash.

Two employees were held up inside the office and forced into a corner. The man who stole scuba gear reportedly told the Disney Springs workers to close their eyes and then tied them up before fleeing the scene, according to investigators.

Even though it was a scary situation, the robber didn’t show a weapon. The employees were upset, but thankfully no one was hurt. As soon as they could, they called 911 for help.

An Underwater Getaway

The heist was over in less than two minutes.

Detectives think the man went back to the pond near Paddlefish, put his scuba gear on again, and swam away while it was dark. Given that Disney Springs is a highly secure area with cameras everywhere, the fact that someone could vanish into the water without being noticed is surprising many people.

People who saw the suspect said he was thin and about 5’10” tall, wearing close-fitting clothes and a blue knit cap. Security footage appears to show him spray-painting a security camera, which indicates he planned the incident in advance.

Disney’s Immediate Response

Amazingly, Paddlefish was able to reopen for business at noon on the same day. Anyone visiting Disney Springs wouldn’t have suspected that a daring thief had attempted a robbery there just a few hours earlier.

I’m following this story closely, and while Disney hasn’t said anything publicly yet, the police have confirmed they’re still actively investigating. What’s really striking is how much of the official report is blacked out – it seems like they’re deliberately keeping certain details under wraps, probably to help them catch whoever is responsible.

Not Your Run-of-the-Mill Robbery

This wasn’t a typical restaurant robbery. Disney Springs is known for being a very secure area, with constant patrols by police and Disney’s own security team, plus extensive camera coverage. Despite all this, a man managed to break into a large restaurant wearing scuba gear, steal something, and then escape by swimming away underwater.

This incident understandably makes guests wonder just how secure the large entertainment complex really is. If someone could steal something without being armed, it raises concerns about what other security breaches might be possible.

This is a public relations disaster for Disney. The image of a thief committing a crime while wearing scuba gear at Disney Springs is striking and won’t be easily forgotten. Disney was already facing some issues in its parks, and now they have a bizarre crime story unfolding at one of their restaurants.

The Hunt Continues

The person who stole scuba gear from Disney Springs hasn’t been caught yet. Investigators are looking at security footage, talking to people who saw something, and trying to figure out how the thief pulled off this strange crime without anyone noticing until after they left.

It’s unusual for police in Central Florida to chase a criminal who escapes by disappearing underwater, like something out of a film. The robbery at Disney Springs is already considered one of the most bizarre crimes Orlando has seen in years, and it could be a while before investigators uncover the identity of the person behind the disguise.

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2025-09-16 16:57