Frogman thief swam to Paddlefish at Disney Springs, stole $20,000 before fleeing

A frogman dressed in diving gear swam to Paddlefish, a waterfront restaurant at Disney Springs on Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and tied up two employees before fleeing with about $20,000, law enforcement said. The heist occurred around midnight Monday while the restaurant was closed, and no customers were present.

Officials described the suspect as covered from head to toe in a black wetsuit, with goggles, a swimming cap and rubber gloves. Surveillance images released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office show the individual in diving gear near the restaurant. The attacker entered the manager’s office after forcing the workers to kneel and demanded cash as staff counted and deposited the night’s receipts into a safe. Within roughly two minutes, the robber departed with an amount described as between $10,000 and $20,000. The suspect then swam away, and investigators say the wetsuit was either ditched or stored before escape.

Police said the robbery occurred after hours and that no customers were on site at the time. The workers were able to free themselves without injury. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office noted there are no additional updates in the case as investigators work to identify and locate the suspect. Surveillance photos show the man in diving gear pointing what appears to be a spray device toward the camera; authorities described the individual as about 5 feet 10 inches tall. If caught, he would face robbery and grand theft charges.

The Paddlefish restaurant, which operates aboard a modern steamboat on Lake Buena Vista, describes its setting as offering “360 views of Lake Buena Vista.” The venue opened for service the following morning despite the unusual crime. Paddlefish has declined to comment on the investigation. The sheriff’s office reaffirmed that there are no new developments at this time while the probe continues.

Authorities emphasize that the incident occurred at a time when the restaurant was closed and no guests were present. The unusual nature of a diving-gear heist near a high-profile theme-park area has drawn local attention as investigators review surveillance footage and retail security practices in the district. The case remains active as detectives pursue leads and attempt to recover the missing cash.