NBA Player Robin Lopez Unknowingly Bought Stolen Items at Center of Disney World Theft Case
Over the past few weeks, we here at MickeyBlog have been reporting on a series of thefts that took place at Walt Disney World that are currently at the center of an Orange County theft case. The items include costumes and props from Disney’s Haunted Mansion Attraction as well as items from a now-defunct Epcot attraction. As of going to print, all signs seem to point to a former Disney employee Patrick Spikes.
Last week, we shared images released by the Sheriff’s Department of the stolen items that were apparently taken from Spike’s phone as the local authorities try to track down the missing property which Spikes reportedly sold online for large sums of money. This ultimately led them to NBA Player and Disney fan Robin Lopez who unknowingly purchasing some the items connected to the theft.
According to a recent post in the Orlando Sentinel, Lopez was in possession of clothing that belonged to a vintage animatronic called Buzzy. According to authorities these items were stolen before they could be sent to the Disney archives in Anaheim. This is according to audo-interviews released by the State Attorney’s office.
The audio exchanges were recorded this past April and involve Orange County sheriff’s investigators and Brett Finley a certified public accountant and a friend of Lopez’s. According to the Sentinel, the recordings shed light on the case including the athlete’s connection as a victim in the case.
Patrick Spikes, a former Disney employee and his cousin Blaytin Taunton are at the center of the case and stand accused of sneaking into Disney world and stealing the items which Spikes then went on to sell.
NBA star Lopez and his twin brother Brook both of whom play for the Bucks will be on hand to meet with guests at the NBA Experience at Disney Springs this Wednesday from 3 – 4:30 pm. You can find out more here.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for more updates regarding this case as well as other Disney news.
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