Only in Florida could deputies be on the hunt for a scuba diver wanted not for breaking a record dive, but for allegedly robbing a restaurant at Disney World. And not just any restaurant — Paddlefish. Yes, the one shaped like a giant steamboat floating right on the water. You can’t make this up.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says the suspect strolled into Paddlefish just after midnight on Monday, fully decked out in black scuba gear, goggles, and bright blue rubber gloves. Instead of asking for a table with a waterfront view, investigators say he demanded cash — somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000 — while two employees were in the middle of depositing the night’s earnings into a safe.
“Get down,” he allegedly told them. “Close your eyes.” No weapon was shown, no threat of one either. Just a man in scuba gear, turning a late-night deposit into a crime scene.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, one woman later told deputies she feared for her life. And honestly, who wouldn’t? If a guy in a wetsuit pops up in your restaurant at midnight barking orders, you’re not thinking about whether he’s armed. You’re just trying to make it out alive.
BREAKING: Man Robs Paddlefish in Disney Springs https://t.co/IXYXN2geGD pic.twitter.com/eeT6cWC6ul
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) September 16, 2025
But here’s where the story takes a turn from scary to almost slapstick. Reports say the suspect may have made his getaway by leaping into the very water that Paddlefish sits on. That’s right — he may have literally paddled away from Paddlefish. If you’re shaking your head, you’re not alone. Even the name of the restaurant seems to be in on the joke.
Security footage captured the bizarre outfit — full scuba suit, goggles, gloves — and investigators are now hoping someone recognizes him. He didn’t have a harpoon, snorkel, or air tank, but the look was enough to make him unforgettable.
A man wearing scuba gear reportedly stole as much as $20,000 from the Paddlefish restaurant at Disney Springs, then jumped into the water and escaped before deputies arrived early Monday morning, according to two restaurant employees who were tied up during the burglary. pic.twitter.com/9ZLYzol5nE
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 15, 2025
The restaurant, known for its “360-degree waterfront views,” is a popular Disney Springs destination, but it isn’t actually owned by Disney. Levy Restaurants, the group behind Paddlefish, declined to comment. A Disney spokesperson pointed all questions to the sheriff’s office, which hasn’t offered more details on whether the suspect truly dove into the lagoon or just slipped away through more traditional means.
Still, the thought of a scuba-clad thief diving into the waters of Disney Springs after pocketing a bag of cash is the kind of scene you’d expect in a cartoon — not in a police blotter.
And yet, here we are.
No injuries were reported, no one was physically harmed, but the cash is gone and the suspect is still on the run. Deputies are asking for tips as the investigation continues.
BREAKING: A scuba-clad suspect #robbed #Paddlefish restaurant at #Disney Springs, making off with $10K-$20K from employees depositing cash after closing on Sept. 15. He sprayed a camera, ordered them down, then swam into the lagoon.@CBSMornings pic.twitter.com/RRDtnNvESf
— Samuel Walker
(@samuelwalker98) September 17, 2025
(@samuelwalker98) So if you’re in central Florida and you happen to see someone wandering around in flippers, maybe carrying an unusually heavy dive bag, the sheriff’s office would probably like a call. Because as funny as the disguise sounds, walking off with $20,000 is no joke.
Sometimes crime in Florida reads like satire. But when the headline is “Scuba Suit Burglar Robs Paddlefish Restaurant at Disney World,” satire doesn’t stand a chance.
