British beer thief looks like a ‘Friends’ star in need
LONDON — Some would say it hasn’t been David Schwimmer’s day, his week, his month, or even his year.
More than a decade after bidding goodbye to his much-loved “Friends” character Ross Geller, the actor found himself at the center of a social media firestorm this week after being closely linked to a crime on British soil.
“Do you recognize this man?” Blackpool Police asked Tuesday on social media. “We want to speak to him in relation to a theft at a Blackpool restaurant on the 20th September,” the post read.
The straightforward question was quickly answered by thousands of people who were quickly able to identify the man in question. To them, it was simple, the suspect was clearly Ross Geller.
While some speculated that the getaway driver was “stuck in second gear,” others spared a thought for fellow series characters Rachel and Monica, who most definitely wouldn’t be impressed at accidentprone Ross’ latest gaffe.
“The One Where Ross Became a Thief,” wrote one fan, much to the delight of thousands, giving the event its own title in the style of the TV show.
Declared by some as “Facebook post of the year,” the replies were a special kind of comedy gold. And the news eventually reached Schwimmer.
The man in question, who was caught on camera clutching what appears to be a case of beer, is wanted in connection with a theft that took place in a restaurant last month. The man has not been arrested.
On Friday, Inspector David Wilson from Blackpool Police said: “We would like to thank the public for the huge response we have received from this appeal thanks to the man in the image resembling a wellknown actor from the popular sitcom ‘Friends.’ “We can see the humorous side to this but equally for us, there is a policing purpose to these kinds of appeals on social media and in this case, it’s to help us find the man pictured, and seek justice for the victim.”
Schwimmer playfully took to his personal social media accounts to deny any involvement with the crime, writing:
“Officers, I swear it wasn’t me . ... I was in New York. To the hardworking Blackpool Police, good luck with the investigation.#itwasntme.”