A man has been arrested after Blackpool police posted an image of a suspect resembling the character Ross from Friends.
The CCTV still, which showed a man apparently stealing a crate of beer, went viral and was widely mocked on social media after it was shared in October.
The actor David Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller in the hit US sitcom, even posted a spoof video showing him carrying a similar crate of beer.
Despite the alleged theft taking place in the Lancashire town on 20 September, the suspect was arrested in west London.
Blackpool Police tweeted: "Thanks to our colleagues @MetPoliceUK, a 36-year-old man was arrested in Southall last night on suspicion of theft.
Following the appeal we posted looking for a man who resembles a well-known actor, we now have an update. Thanks to our colleagues @MetPoliceUK, a 36-year-old man was arrested in Southall last night on suspicion of theft. Thanks for the support, especially @DavidSchwimmer! pic.twitter.com/sUy5XyS4im
— Blackpool Police (@BlackpoolPolice) November 13, 2018
"Thanks for the support, especially @DavidSchwimmer!"
Police said they had identified the suspect in October and tweeted a thank you message to those who helped the CCTV image go viral.
The force referenced the catchphrase of Friends character Chandler Bing when they tweeted: "Could we BE any more overwhelmed with the response to our CCTV appeal after a theft at a restaurant in Blackpool?
"Most importantly, we're now satisfied we've identified the man in the still and our enquiries are very much continuing."
The post ended: "Huge thanks for sharing it with your Friends."
Schwimmer's lighthearted video, which attracted 180,000 retweets and 611,000 likes, had been posted on Twitter two days earlier.
The clip shows the actor wearing similar clothes to the suspect as he walks through a shop clutching the beers.
He wrote in an accompanying post: "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."
Blackpool Police's original post, which has since been deleted, had been swamped with replies highlighting the suspect's resemblance to Ross.
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It was shared more than 40,000 times and attracted tens of thousands of likes.
One Facebook user, referencing the Friends theme song, wrote: "I don't think it's been this guy's day, his week, his month or even his year…"
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