The thief who went viral for his uncanny resemblance to actor David Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller on Friends, has been arrested. In September, an unidentified man stole a jacket, wallet, and phone from a Mr. Basrai’s World Cuisines restaurant in Blackpool. Police released a CCTV camera photo showing the man walking in a shop and buying a large amount of beer, which is when people pointed out he looked exactly like the actor.
Police in Lancashire, England shared news of the arrest on Twitter and gave a special shout-out to Schwimmer.
“Following the appeal, we posted looking for a man who resembles a well-known actor, we now have an update. Thanks to our colleagues [at Metropolitan Police], a 36-year-old man was arrested in Southall last night on suspicion of theft. Thank you for the support, especially David Schwimmer!” Lancashire Police tweeted.
Following the appeal we posted looking for a man who resembles a well-known actor, we now have an update. Thanks to our colleagues @MetPoliceUK, a 36-year-old man was arrested in Southall last night on suspicion of theft. Thank you for the support, especially @DavidSchwimmer! pic.twitter.com/nOgF1KQb0X
— LancsPolice (@LancsPolice) November 13, 2018
Shortly after the case went viral last month, Schwimmer took to Twitter for the first time to assure the world he was innocent. “Officers, I swear it wasn’t me. As you can see, I was in New York,” he wrote. “To the hardworking Blackpool Police, good luck with the investigation.#itwasntme.”
Officers, I swear it wasn't me.
— schwim (@DavidSchwimmer) October 24, 2018
As you can see, I was in New York.
To the hardworking Blackpool Police, good luck with the investigation.#itwasntme pic.twitter.com/EDFF9dZoYR
If you think the fact that this case has been put to rest means the jokes have stopped, think again. People on Twitter responded with a slew of Ross GIFs and Friends jokes.
— CherrySwirlGirl (@cherryswirlgirl) November 13, 2018
One person said the whole mix up could be the plot of a Friends reboot. “Ross was on his 15th divorce, ended up broke & developed a drinking/stealing problem & landed behind bars. This ‘Friends’ reboot practically writes itself,” they wrote.
Ross was on his 15th divorce, ended up broke & developed a drinking/stealing problem & landed behind bars. This Friends reboot practically writes itself.
— Erica (@ErockaMar) November 13, 2018
That’s fantastic! pic.twitter.com/bdX5s9kT0M
— Jodie (@cbjfan04) November 13, 2018
— Sam Ramm (@SamRamm) November 13, 2018
Someone else pointed out that people mixing up the thief with 52-year-old Schwimmer meant he was passing for 36: “In other news, David Schwimmer passes for 36 years old! Good job aging sir! No, but really, you actually are looking really good.”
https://twitter.com/StephBogart/status/1062358609156337664