Disney Springs is best known for its world-class dining, entertainment, and shopping—but early on September 15 2025, it became the scene of one of Walt Disney World’s most unusual crime stories.
In a late-night heist that feels more like a movie plot than reality, a suspect in scuba gear swam up to Paddlefish restaurant and made off with thousands of dollars in cash – by swimming away.
A Midnight Crime Scene
The robbery occurred shortly after midnight on Monday, after the restaurant had closed to guests. Investigators say the burglar approached by water, wearing a wetsuit and scuba gear.
Once inside, he stored his equipment and entered the manager’s office, where two employees were in the process of counting the night’s money.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office report report, the suspect directed two employees into a corner of the office and instructed them to shut their eyes.
While much of the document obtained by WFTV is redacted, investigators familiar with the case noted that the workers were bound during the incident.
The burglar made off with an estimated $10,000 to $20,000 in cash, based on the charge under review. The employees reportedly said he was gone within two minutes, and they contacted 911 after managing to free themselves.
Deputies later described the suspect as a slim male of about 5’10”, wearing tight dark clothing and a blue beanie.
An Unusual Escape
After the robbery, the suspect fled in less than two minutes. Investigators believe he put his scuba gear back on, jumped into Lake Buena Vista, and swam from the scene. Despite an immediate search, he was not found.
Sheriff’s officials confirmed that no weapons were brandished and that the employees were not physically harmed. It is reported that the case is being treated as strong-arm robbery and grand theft.
Why Paddlefish?
It may not be surprising that this particular restaurant was targeted.
Photo Source Paddlefish
Paddlefish sits inside a replica paddleboat docked directly on the water, making it one of the few Disney Springs venues that could be accessed this way.
With its long history—first opening as the Empress Lilly in 1976 before later becoming Fulton’s Crab House, and finally Paddlefish in 2017—the iconic steamboat is a familiar sight to Disney Springs visitors.
But this time, instead of seafood specials and rooftop dining views, it was the access to water that made Paddlefish the perfect stage for such an unusual burglary.
Reactions and Security
The story has sparked plenty of comparisons online to classic heist films. The idea of someone swimming up to a restaurant under cover of darkness, slipping inside, and then disappearing back into the water really does sound like a storyline from a movie.
Even though Disney Springs is well-patrolled with visible and behind-the-scenes security, this incident shows that unconventional crimes can and do happen.
On the ground, it was back to business as usual: Paddlefish opened for lunch at noon on Monday as if nothing had happened.
The Investigation Continues
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation, and no arrests have been made as of yet.
The burglar remains at large, and questions remain about how he managed to get in and out so quickly without being stopped.
Now forgive me for speculating here, and I am no sleuth, but it is difficult to imagine that this was not an inside job.
Knowing when the cash was being counted, swimming up to the premises, taking off your scuba gear, and being able to stash your scuba gear, then put it back on doesn’t sound like something that would be easy to achieve unless you had some insider knowledge.
Thankfully no one was physically hurt, but let’s not minimize the impact on the employees involved.
This bizarre story will likely gain notoriety as one of the strangest crimes in Walt Disney World history.
It’s a reminder that even “The Most Magical Place on Earth” can have moments of mystery—and sometimes, reality really is stranger than fiction.
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.