An alleged thief who looks like Friends star David Schwimmer is being hunted by police after he went on the run rather than face court.
Blackpool Police have issued a mugshot of Abdulah Husseni, 36, after an appeal was viewed around the world due to his similarity to the TV star.
He was arrested last year after the CCTV footage went viral and even prompted US actor Schwimmer to tweet police: ‘It wasn’t me.’
They clip showed a man carrying a beer crate and police said they wanted to trace him over a spate of thefts in the seaside town.
Blackpool Police have issued a mugshot of Abdulah Husseni, 36, (left) after an appeal was viewed around the world due to his similarity to the TV star, showing a man leaving a shop carrying a crate of beer (right)
Days later Hollywood star Schwimmer, 51, posted a hilarious parody video reconstructing the police CCTV snap – and also hauling a beer crate.
Last November Husseni was finally arrested, charged and ordered to appear before Blackpool magistrates just before Christmas – but never showed up.
Now the force asked for anyone that knows the whereabouts of Husseni, of Slough, in Berkshire, to contact them.
On Monday, Lancashire Police said: ‘Police are trying to trace Abdulah Husseini, 36, after he failed to appear at court.
‘Husseini was due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on December 18 accused of theft and four counts of fraud.
Days after the appeal (left) went viral Hollywood star Schwimmer, 51, posted a hilarious parody video reconstructing the police CCTV snap – and also hauling a beer crate
‘This relates to a coat, mobile phone and wallet being stolen from Mr Basrai’s restaurant on Talbot Road, Blackpool on Thursday, September 20.
‘Husseini failed to appear at court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
‘Husseini is also being sought by the Metropolitan Police after failing to appear at court to answer to a handling stolen goods charge, and also for an outstanding theft matter.
‘Husseini, of Slough, is described as being 6 foot tall. He has links to Slough but may have travelled to anywhere in the country.’
The original police CCTV image – taken on the same day as the restaurant theft in the same town – features the man with dark bushy hair as he leaves a shop carrying a crate of beer.
The actual alleged theft took place at Mr Basrai’s restaurant. The suspect is wanted for the alleged theft of a jacket, wallet and mobile from the restaurant.
On the same day he was caught on CCTV buying the crate of beer, using money or a cash card from a nearby shop.
The force’s original 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.’
However, Facebook users were quick to point out the similarities with the US actor, who also starred in war series ‘Band of Brothers’.
Actor Schwimmer hilariously pleaded his innocence with a spoof video after bizarrely being mistaken for the mystery thief.
The star posted: ‘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.’
And it prompted Lancashire Police to officially rule out the actor as a suspect.
They said: ‘Police 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!’
And echoing the lyrics to The Rembrandts famous theme song to the Friends TV show, the cheeky force added: ‘We’re so sorry it has to be this way.’
Husseini was initially traced, arrested and charged in the Slough area and bailed to attend Blackpool, Lancashire just before Christmas.
He failed to turn up and District Judge Jane Goodwin issued a warrant for his arrest.
‘Friends’ ran for 10 years from 1994 to 2004 and also starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry.
Married father-of-one Schwimmer, born and based in New York, starred in Friends from 1994 until its finale in 2004.
In 2016, he won acclaim by starring as lawyer Robert Kardashian in American Crime Story, about the trial of OJ Simpson – receiving his second Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor.