In an astonishing heist at Disney Springs, a man dressed in scuba gear reportedly stole between $10,000 and $20,000 from the Paddlefish restaurant. The robbery, which occurred on the night of September 15, has raised concerns over security despite recent efforts to tighten protocols at the popular Orlando, Florida, location.
The Unlikely Robber: A Scuba Diver in Action
According to an incident report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the robbery took place just after midnight. The suspect, dressed in black clothing and sporting goggles, stormed into the manager’s office at Paddlefish, a seafood restaurant situated on a moored steamboat at Disney Springs. He allegedly ordered the restaurant employees to get down on their knees and close their eyes before leaving just minutes later.
The employees quickly contacted law enforcement, and the sheriff’s office confirmed that the suspect was not armed, though he did appear to have an object that was used to obstruct a security camera. It’s still unclear exactly what the object was, but the image captured by the camera showed the suspect’s silhouette as he executed the heist.
An image of the suspected assailant was shared following the filed report (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
A Quick Getaway
After making off with the cash, the suspect reportedly swam away from the scene, using the same method of entry he had used earlier: through the water. The unique method of escape—using scuba gear—has left investigators perplexed and raised many questions about how the suspect was able to pull off such an audacious crime.
Despite the traumatic nature of the robbery, no employees were harmed during the incident, and the restaurant was able to reopen within 12 hours for business. However, the robbery has raised concerns about the safety of staff and patrons, especially in light of recent security enhancements at Disney Springs.
Security Measures Tightened
Just weeks before the incident, Disney Springs had announced new security procedures for its visitors. These included mandatory security screenings, metal detectors, and baggage checks for all guests arriving at the shopping and entertainment hub. Prior to this change, guests arriving by bus were able to bypass these screenings—a major loophole that was closed in July.
While these new protocols were aimed at preventing incidents like the Paddlefish robbery, this heist shows that even with increased security, criminals can still find ways to bypass the system. This incident highlights the challenges in keeping large entertainment venues secure, especially when dealing with unexpected methods of entry, such as scuba diving.
Paddlefish is situated on a modern steamboat at Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida (WFTV)
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the robbery is still underway, with local authorities working to track down the suspect. Paddlefish, a renowned seafood restaurant with a unique yacht-like setting, continues to operate under the security and oversight of Disney’s private security force, though this recent heist shows there may still be vulnerabilities to address.
While the investigation continues, Disney has not yet released additional details about the case, and the total amount stolen is still being determined. The sheriff’s office is working diligently to find leads and apprehend the suspect who managed to swim away with thousands of dollars in cash.
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