Police Identify Alleged Thief Who Went Viral For Being A David Schwimmer Doppleganger

Police in Blackpool, England have identified a thief who bears a striking resemblance to “Friends” actor David Schwimmer after a photo of the look-alike went viral online and resulted in a flood of tips.

The unnamed suspect, wanted for stealing various items from a restaurant, became a social media sensation after authorities posted a CCTV image of the alleged thief online, only to end up with thousands of comments pointing out, and riffing on, the man’s nearly undeniable similarity to Ross Geller from the hit ‘90s sitcom “Friends.”

Authorities have since been able to identify the doppleganger, a spokeswoman for the Lancashire Police confirmed to BBC.

“We think we know who he is but we just need to trace him,” she told the outlet.

“Could we BE any more overwhelmed with the response to our CCTV appeal about a theft at a restaurant in Blackpool?” Lancashire Police wrote in a tweet, referencing a long-running joke in the series. “Most importantly, we’re now satisfied we've identified the man in the still & our enquiries are very much continuing. Huge thanks for sharing it with your Friends.”

The man, whose identity has yet to be shared with the public, is alleged to have stolen a jacket, cell phone, and wallet from Mr. Basrai’s restaurant in Blackpool, England on Sept. 20, according to BBC News. The surveillance footage that went viral was reportedly taken when the suspect purchased beer from a separate location, the outlet reports.

Numerous commenters flocked to the police’s original Facebook post (which has since been deleted) to share “Friends” quotes, attracting the attention of Schwimmer, who then posted a short clip of himself recreating the surveillance footage capturing his British look-alike.

“Officers, I swear it wasn’t me,” he wrote in the caption.

Blackpool police later reportedly confirmed Schwimmer’s innocence, adding cheekily, “We’re so sorry it has to be this way.”

[Photo: Getty Images; Blackpool Police]