Disney Springs was the scene of a bizarre robbery when a man in scuba gear allegedly swam up to the Paddlefish restaurant and stole around $20,000 in cash.
After boosting the cash, he reportedly slipped back into the surrounding waters while security was unable to stop him.
Paddlefish restaurant robbed of cash deposits
According to reports, the suspect emerged from the water wearing diving equipment and headed straight to the replica steamboat restaurant on September 15.
Once inside, he ditched his wetsuit, entered the manager’s office where cash deposits were being counted by staff members.
Two employees were ordered into a corner, told to shut their eyes, and tied up, according to a report by WFTV News.
Authorities say the thief did not flash any kind of weapon and left without physically injuring anyone.
Investigators noted the entire encounter lasted less than two minutes before the suspect made his escape. After managing to free themselves, the workers dialed 911.
Orange County deputies suspect the robber put his scuba gear back on and dove back into the pond encircling the restaurant to make his getaway.
Witnesses told investigators the individual was slim, stood around 5-foot-10, and had on tight clothing with a blue beanie.
The assailant carried no gun, and no victims were harmed, according to the police report.
Despite the dramatic circumstances, Paddlefish reopened the following day without visible upgrades to its security.
Disney Springs is typically under patrol from both Disney security and sheriff’s deputies.
The sheriff’s office later clarified in a statement, “This incident occurred after the restaurant was closed, and there were no patrons present.”
Suspect in Paddlefish restaurant heist sprayed surveillance cameras
Images obtained by NBC News from surveillance footage show a figure in a wetsuit spraying a substance over a camera.
Additional photos depict the person wearing gloves and goggles during the heist.
Audio from the 911 call released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office captures a frantic employee’s plea for help.
“Can you describe the person who took the items?” the dispatcher asked.
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“No idea, he was fully masked,” the worker replied.
“Did he have a weapon with him?” the operator continued.
“Some sort of spray, and he put trash bags over us and took us to the ground,” the employee said.
Law enforcement confirmed the investigation is ongoing, and Paddlefish restaurant deferred all questions to authorities.
The upscale seafood restaurant is built to resemble a modern steamboat and is anchored on the water at Disney Springs, a shopping and dining hub in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
While Florida authorities work to track down the scuba-clad suspect, California police were dealing with a robbery of their own that played out in broad daylight.
Thieves make off with nearly $2 million in jewelry heist
At least 20 hooded and masked individuals stormed Heller Jewelers in San Ramon on September 22, escaping with an estimated $1.7 million in merchandise.
Authorities say the group, armed with crowbars, pickaxes, and at least three firearms, barged into the store Monday afternoon and smashed glass displays.
Lt. Mike Pistello of the San Ramon Police Department described the scene to KGO-TV, saying, “When they went in, they basically took over the store. Basically taking whatever jewelry was available.”
Cellphone footage taken during the robbery showed the suspects momentarily trapped inside after a security system locked the doors.
Police reported that at least one suspect fired multiple gunshots at the glass door to break free.
Pistello explained, “What ended up happening was, once the suspects went in, the door locked behind them.”
According to officials, the suspects arrived in six cars and parked in the valet area, only about 100 feet from the entrance.
Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton told reporters, “The vehicles that they arrived in and the vehicles that they used for the getaway were alleged to be stolen cars.”
“We know that the amount of jewelry that was taken was estimated to be $1.7 million,” Becton added.
Aerial video from a drone showed the suspects fleeing the jewelry store and rushing into getaway vehicles.
Surveillance cameras, cellphone recordings, and inter-agency coordination helped police identify and track several suspects.
Ten suspects arrested in jewelry store robbery
Seven people were arrested shortly after, including three adults and a minor in Oakland with the help of local police.
The arrested suspects, aged 17 to 31, are all from Oakland. Authorities suspect the group has ties to similar heists across the Bay Area.
They include Michael Ray, 31, Ira Austin, 19, Jahkeal McGolthin, 18, Jacques Samuel, 18, Deandre Demisse, 19, and an unidentified 17-year-old.
Officers recovered two guns and some jewelry, including pieces believed to have been dropped or abandoned during the chaotic escape. Several of the getaway vehicles were confirmed stolen.
“This is not their first time doing something like this,” Lt. Pistello told the outlet.
Detectives continue working to identify the remaining suspects, and police said the broader investigation could take months.
One of the accused, Jimmy Mack Ray, 27, of Vallejo, faces 14 felony counts tied to the Heller Jewelers raid. Despite the charges, his attorney insisted Ray was not present at the crime scene.
Prosecutors say some of the stolen jewelry was recovered on him at the time of his arrest.
Thus far, only about $200,000 worth of merchandise has been retrieved.
Ray entered a not guilty plea to one count of conspiracy and 13 counts of second-degree robbery. A judge set his bail at $8 million, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 10.
Authorities later confirmed three additional arrests connected to the September 22 armed robbery of Heller Jewelers, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to 10.
The three additional adults were apprehended at the Dublin BART station by Alameda County sheriff’s deputies.
Police identified those suspects as Angel Herrera, 21, of Pacifica, Toddisha Mayfield, 31, of San Leandro, and Zakhari Blue-Gorden, 23, of East Palo Alto.
Investigators seized multiple items of evidence during search warrants, further linking the suspects to the crime.
Officials reported that in addition to jewelry and cash, four kilograms of suspected cocaine were found inside Herrera’s home.
