Upon being apprehended for stealing items from Disney resorts, including a figurine of R2-D2 valued at about $10,000, the Florida guy said he merely did it to support his “pending application” to work as a security guard for Disney.
On May 31, 44-year-old David Proudfoot was detained at the Swan Reserve, which is close to the theme park’s Epcot portion, while pretending to be a Disney employee.
When the police found him, he confessed to robbing the game machine and the Star Wars monument.
To support his fictitious job application, Proudfoot claimed to police that he wasn’t aiming to steal the products but rather disclose the resort’s security flaws.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, a search of his residence turned up at least $730 in additional stolen Disney property.
Charges of burglary, petty theft, third-degree grand theft, tampering with a coin-operated machine, and fraud scheme led to Proudfoot’s arrest.
Inquiries from the Daily Mail regarding whether Proudfoot had applied for a security position and, if so, whether he was still being considered went unanswered by Disney.
In the early hours of May 31, hotel workers observed Proudfoot carrying a cart over Epcot Resorts Boulevard and into the hotel parking lot. They then reported the incident to authorities as suspicious activity. Proudfoot was wearing a luminous orange vest and work pants.
When confronted by police, Proudfoot gave them a bogus identity, claimed to work for the hotel, and directed them to a staff locker room at the neighbouring Yacht Club Resort where he claimed to have his possessions.
Police approached Proudfoot for identification after he pretended to look for his locker for a while but was unable to open the one he said was his. Proudfoot gave them a Florida driver’s licence with a bogus name on it.
Police brought Proudfoot back to the Swan Reserve Hotel, where he confessed to robbing both the arcade gaming machine and the R2-D2 statue.
According to the authorities, Proudfoot also admitted to breaking into three arcade games at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, and the Wilderness Lodge.
Police used a search warrant to enter Proudfoot’s Kissimmee home and discovered a number of items that were allegedly taken between May 13 and May 14 from the Fort Wilderness Lodge and the Sturdy Ranch Health Club.
There were several light fixtures among them, as well as a towel cabinet that Proudfoot had altered to accommodate a stolen arcade machine.
Proudfoot is also thought to be responsible for a May 30 nocturnal break-in at the Polynesian Resort.