Police in Blackpool, U.K. are searching for a man in connection with a September 20 restaurant robbery that went viral after Facebook users noticed the suspect’s uncanny likeness to actor David Schwimmer, best known for his role as Ross Geller on “Friends.”
The CCTV still of the Ross Geller lookalike shows the male suspect carrying a crate of lager. However, the robbery in question relates to the theft of a jacket, wallet, and cell phone from a Blackpool restaurant, BBC reports, so the beer picture is unclear.
Blackpool Police first posted the appeal on Facebook Tuesday morning. It has now received more than 85,000 shares and 129,000 comments, the vast majority quoting lines from the sitcom and making “Friends”-inspired jokes.
“That’s no Ross Geller, that’s the Holiday Armadillo,” one user commented. Another wrote: “Shoplifting…It’s NOT that common. It DOESN’T happen to every guy, and it IS A BIG DEAL.”
Other users referenced the show’s theme song, with one writing: “I don’t think it’s been this guy’s day, his week, his month or even his year.”
Do you recognise this man? We want to speak to him in relation to a theft at a Blackpool restaurant on the 20th…
Posted by Blackpool Police on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Blackpool Police replied to the jokes, writing: “Thank you to everyone for your speedy responses. We have investigated this matter thoroughly and have confirmed that David Schwimmer was in America on this date.” In short: It wasn’t him.
The police also proved their knowledge of the popular sitcom, signing off with another reference to the show’s tune: “We’re so sorry it has to be this way.”
The search for the suspect is ongoing. Blackpool Police are asking for anyone with genuine information on the man’s identity to email [email protected] quoting log LC-20180920-0670.
