U.K. police ID restaurant thief who looks like David Schwimmer

British police have identified a man wanted for theft who bears a striking resemblance to Ross Geller, the character played by David Schwimmer on the TV show Friends.

On Wednesday, Blackpool Policeposted a note of thanks on Facebook, and also tweeted, "We're now satisfied we've identified the man in the still &our enquiries are very much continuing. Huge thanks for sharing it with your Friends."

Facebook users noticed the similarity when police posted surveillance-camera footage of a man carrying a carton of cans from a restaurant in Blackpool in northwest England.

The actor responded with a Twitter video that showed him scuttling furtively through a convenience store, clutching a carton of beer.

Schwimmer wrote: "Officers, I swear it wasn't me. As you can see, I was in New York." He wished police well with the investigation.

Lancashire police later confirmed that "David Schwimmer was in America on this date."

Britain's Daily Star newspaper ran the story Thursday under the headline "I'll Beer There for You," a play on a line from the Friendstheme song.

The popular TV show, about six friends living in the same apartment complex in New York City,ran from 1994 to 2004.

With files from CBC News