Shortly after Blackpool police's Facebook post about an alleged suspect bearing a striking resemblance to Ross Geller, from popular sitcom 'Friends' became viral, the star himself came out on social media, declaring that it wasn't him! Actor David Schwimmer, who played the character of Ross in the 90's sitcom, posted a hilarious spoof video of himself with his arms full of beer cans in a New York supermarket, strikingly similar to the picture released by the Blackpool police.
He captioned the video with: "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."
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
The police department in UK had posted a picture of the suspect, showing him leaving a restaurant carrying a crate of cans. The post read: "Do you recognise this man? We want to speak to him in relation to a theft at a Blackpool restaurant on the 20th September." Soon after the post was made public, many Facebook users were quick to point out that the suspect looked like the "spitting image" of Schwimmer's character in the American sitcom. There were many who made Friends-related puns in the comments section and shared Ross Geller quotes.
"I don't think it's been this guy's day, his week, his month or even his year," Facebook user Nick Croston wrote in the comments, while another user Olly Byrne quipped: "I'm surprised you've not found him... it's like you're always stuck in second gear." Another 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.”
While Jay Murdoch wrote: "Apparently the police had him cornered then he performed a pivot manoeuvre and escaped." Craig Thompson added: "I saw him behind me in the shop around that time.. just as I was paying for MY SANDWICH."
Scottish police also joined in the fun, with the officers in Dumfries and Galloway sharing the post too and warning members of public to "keep away" from the suspect and also made a Friends reference. The post received over 50,000 comments within minutes, with some referencing a Friends episode where Ross says he is an expert in self-defense: "Please approach with caution. He is known to have studied karate and we believe he has mastered the art of Unagi, the state of total awareness.”
Shortly after the comments, Lancashire Constabulary police officials also joined in the fun and replied saying they appreciated the speedy response of Facebook users but they have established that Schwimmer was not in the UK at the time of the incident.
"Thank you to everyone for your speedy responses. 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," the police department said.