News Summary

An armed robbery occurred at the Paddlefish restaurant in Disney Springs early Monday morning, with a suspect using a scuba suit to approach the restaurant. After gaining access to the manager’s office, the suspect stole between $10,000 and $20,000 while threatening two employees. The incident highlights concerns about security measures in the area, as law enforcement investigates the unique method employed by the robber, who escaped by swimming away.

Orlando

An armed robbery occurred at Disney Springs’ Paddlefish restaurant early Monday morning, just after midnight, when a suspect wearing a scuba suit stole thousands of dollars from the establishment.

According to authorities, the robbery took place while the restaurant was closed, with the suspect reportedly approaching the venue by swimming through a nearby lake. He was dressed in a full wetsuit, complete with goggles and gloves, suggesting a methodical approach to the crime.

Once he reached the restaurant, the suspect removed his scuba gear and hid it before gaining access to the manager’s office, where two employees were present. One of the employees was in the process of counting cash being prepared for deposit into a safe.

The suspect ordered the employees to kneel and physically pushed one of them during the robbery. Initial reports described the perpetrator as a white male, approximately 5-foot-10 in height, weighing about 160 pounds, dressed entirely in black clothing. This included a ski mask and rubber gloves to conceal his identity.

Authorities estimated that the amount stolen from the Paddlefish restaurant ranged between $10,000 and $20,000, qualifying it as grand theft. Remarkably, the employees did not sustain any injuries during the incident, and the suspect did not explicitly indicate any weapon.

Following the robbery, the employees contacted law enforcement by calling 911. Responding officers arrived on the scene just minutes later, but were unable to apprehend the suspect, who had already fled the area. The suspect put his scuba gear back on before swimming away from the scene.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the incident was classified as a strong-arm robbery, as there was no evidence of a weapon being used during the commission of the crime. After the incident, authorities conducted a search of the surroundings but did not locate the suspect.

To aid in the investigation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has released a photo of the suspect taken from security footage, showing him in his scuba attire, which featured reflective goggles and a masked face. This visual evidence may assist in identifying the robber and apprehending him as the investigation continues.

As of now, no additional comments have been made by representatives from Paddlefish or by the employees involved, as law enforcement continues to gather information and conduct inquiries related to the robbery. The unique nature of the method used by the robber, swimming to the restaurant while in scuba gear, has drawn attention to this case and raised questions about security measures at establishments in the area.

The investigation into this brazen crime remains a priority for law enforcement, and anyone with relevant information is encouraged to come forward to assist in bringing the suspect to justice.

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• NBC News
• Wikipedia: Robbery
• WESH
• Google Search: Disney Springs robbery
• Fox Business
• Google Scholar: robbery cases
• Orlando Sentinel
• Encyclopedia Britannica: crime
• Click Orlando
• Google News: Disney Springs

Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER

ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.