Lancashire force thanks public for its help in search for David Schwimmer lookalike

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Police searching for a suspected thief who resembles the Friends actor David Schwimmer believe they have identified the suspect.

Lancashire constabulary was inundated with comments from social media users after it posted an image of a man wanted over the theft of a jacket, mobile phone and wallet. The image went viral as people noticed he looked like Ross Geller, Schwimmer’s character in the US sitcom.

The actor then tweeted a statement denying responsibility and insisting he had been in New York at the time of the alleged crime.

On Thursday, Lancashire police tweeted: “Could we BE any more overwhelmed with the response to our CCTV appeal about a theft at a restaurant in Blackpool? Most importantly, we’re now satisfied we’ve identified the man in the still and our inquiries are very much continuing. Huge thanks for sharing it with your Friends.”

After the force’s original post on Facebook, hundreds of people commented with references to well-known lines from the show. One wrote: “Shouldn’t he be at work … or is he on a break?” Another posted: “I bet he was shouting ‘PIVOT’ as he picked those beers up.”

On Wednesday, Schwimmer tweeted video evidence denying he was responsible.

schwim (@DavidSchwimmer) Officers, I swear it wasn't me.

As you can see, I was in New York.

To the hardworking Blackpool Police, good luck with the investigation.#itwasntme pic.twitter.com/EDFF9dZoYR

Lancashire police had previously made it clear Schwimmer was not a suspect. “Thank you to everyone for your speedy responses,” the force said. “We have investigated this matter thoroughly and have confirmed that David Schwimmer was in America on this date.

“We’re so sorry it has to be this way.”