Florida Man Poses As Disney Employee, Steals R2-D2

Never put anything past the Florida man on a mission, as this one posed as a Disney employee and stole R2-D2.

44 year-old David Proudfoot of Kissimmee posed as a security guard at Disney's Swan Reserve Hotel. He was noticed by the real security of the hotel who called the police to report suspicious activity. When deputies arrived, Proudfoot gave them a fake name and then took them to the employee locker room at the Yacht Club Resort where he said he worked and then started searching for his locker where he claimed he had his stuff.

Of course, because he didn't actually work there, he wasn't able to open the locker, and that's when police asked to see his ID. He gave police an ID that had a different name from the one he originally told them, and they took him back to Swan Reserve Hotel where he eventually admitted to moving a game machine and an R2-D2 statue valued between $6,000-$10,000.

According to the arrest report, Proudfoot told investigators that he was trying to get a better paying job by "exposing the weaknesses in the security of the resorts" and that he never intended to steal anything.

This isn't Proudfoot's first encounter with the law at Disney. The arrest report says he admitted to breaking into at least three arcade machines at Walt Disney World’s Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. A search warrant of his home found over $700 worth of Disney property including light fixtures and a towel cabinet. He was also a suspect in a grand theft from the Polynesian Resort in May.

Proudfoot is facing charges of third-degree grand theft, petty theft, burglary, tampering with a coin-operated machine and scheming to defraud.

SOURCE: Orlando Sentinel

If you're thinking of taking the family to Disney World this summer, check out the new Florida resident discounts they just dropped. You can stay on resort for about the same amount as one of the hotels down the road. And because you're at a Disney hotel, you can bus to whatever park you're going to and keep the car parked. This allows you to have a few drinks and not worry about how you're getting back to the hotel. Score! There are some rules, as reported by wdwnt: "The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Additional per-adult charges may apply if there are more than two adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts. Advance reservations are required. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. The offer excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas and The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Proof of Florida residency is required at check-in and length of stay requirements may apply."

I'm putting the lowest rate on here for the Disney World Florida Resident Discount. Based on your situation (what you tell them when you book the room) your rate may be higher. And tax, of course.

These rooms are discounted, but you're probably not going to find that $129 rate on that list. My favorite at $603/night is the Savanna View at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you've got the cash for it - it's an experience of a lifetime.

Florida Man Disney R2-D2