Burglar swims to Disney Springs restaurant, steals $20K, and escapes back into lake like aquatic mastermind – We Got This Covered

A burglar in full scuba gear robbed the Paddlefish restaurant at Disney Springs in the early morning hours of Monday, September 15, stealing between $10,000 and $20,000 in cash before escaping back into the lake. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the theft occurred just after midnight at the popular steamboat-style restaurant located at Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district.

The suspect approached Paddlefish by swimming across the lake to the restaurant, which is permanently docked at The Landing area of Disney Springs. According to the incident report, the man found a place to store his wetsuit and scuba gear before entering the manager’s office, where two employees were counting cash from the day and preparing to deposit it into a safe. The burglar forced both employees to stand in a corner and close their eyes, with sources telling WFTV that he tied them up during the robbery.

According to Dexerto, like an aquatic mastermind, the suspect executed his plan with remarkable efficiency, leaving the restaurant within just two minutes of entering. The employees were able to free themselves and immediately called 911, but neither were injured during the incident. The sheriff’s office noted that the man did not brandish any weapons during the robbery. After taking the cash, investigators believe the burglar put his scuba gear back on and jumped into the Disney Springs lake to make his escape.

The unusual crime raises questions about Disney Springs security

The method of this crime has left authorities and Disney fans stunned, particularly given the tight security typically maintained around Disney properties. Disney Springs sees thousands of visitors daily and is usually monitored by a combination of Disney security personnel, surveillance cameras, and local law enforcement support. The fact that someone could swim up to a restaurant, commit a robbery, and escape by water without being detected has raised questions about potential security gaps at waterfront properties in the area.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office released a surveillance image showing the suspect apparently spray painting a security camera, likely in an attempt to avoid identification. Employees described the man as slim, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, and wearing tight black clothing along with a blue beanie. He was also reported to be wearing blue rubber gloves and small goggles during the break-in.

The restaurant that was targeted has a rich history at Walt Disney World. Paddlefish is housed inside a replica steamboat that originally opened in 1977 as the Empress Lilly, named in honor of Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian Disney. The vessel later became Fulton’s Crab House in 1996 before transforming into Paddlefish in 2017 under the operation of Levy Restaurants. Just as Orlando Brown’s legal troubles shocked Disney fans, this bizarre heist has captured the attention of theme park enthusiasts worldwide.

Despite the dramatic robbery, Paddlefish reopened for business at noon the same day with no visible increase in security measures. The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward. The case has quickly become a viral topic on social media, with many comparing it to something out of a Hollywood movie. While Batman pajama-wearing vigilantes have made headlines for stopping crimes, this Florida burglar’s underwater escape represents a new level of creative criminality that has left law enforcement searching both land and water for answers.