Spikes was behind the @BackDoorDisney Twitter account and used it to post pictures of backstage areas around Walt Disney World Resort.
Photos of costumes and other items that were stolen from the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort (Disney World) were released yesterday by law enforcement officials.
24-year-old Patrick Spikes, resident of Winter Garden, a former Disney World employee was arrested back in May on allegations of stealing and selling $7,000 worth of costumes from the Haunted Mansion, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) arrest affidavit.
The former Disney World employee faces charges of burglary of an occupied structure, dealing in stolen property and grand theft. Spikes has pleaded not guilty.
The first series of photos shows a pink, 2-piece costume, possibly taken from an audio animatronic character, labelled, A.A. Magic Kingdom Haunted Mansion. 1 photo shows a women, a friend of Spikes, wearing the costume.
The second series of photos shows a Disney trash can is in the garage of a home and Disney ride manuals are in the trunk of a car. A majority of the photos which were released can be found in the gallery below:
OCSO officials said Spikes used his Disney employee ID to get into the Magic Kingdom on the 31st July, 2018. He was then caught taking a photo in the utility area, a restricted area for employees, officials said.
Disney security investigators told law enforcement that they were aware of Spikes taking pictures backstage while he was employed at the company. The affidavit shows Disney said Spikes had photos on his phone of other animatronics that were stolen… could it be Buzzy?!
A photo on the former Disney World employee’s phone showed merchandise that had been stolen from the Haunted Mansion, officials said. In a video (see below), also released by OCSO officials, investigators confront Spikes about the photos.
A transcription of the above video can be found below:
Spikes: “How about this? I’m about to walk out and if you guys want to talk, I’m going to come back with my attorney.”
Detective: “Okay. Keep the car there. We’re keeping your phone.”
In the video above, you’ll see Spikes grabbing for his phone and detectives tackling him.
Spikes: “Am I under arrest. I’m not under arrest or am I under arrest?” – Spikes asked this whilst he was on the ground.
Later, not seen in this portion of the video, Spikes asked if he could call his mother.
Detective: “You’re an adult correct?”
Spikes: “Yeah.”
Detective: “I’m not calling your mum. Stay there, OK! You have simple instructions. You don’t want to follow them, so we’re not going to do that. BUT you’re not going to destroy evidence.”
On the 26th April, officials involved in the case got in touch with a man who said he bought the Haunted Mansion merchandise from Spikes, going by the affidavit.
The man told Police that he had been able to obtain the items from Disney with permission, according the affidavit. Spikes was also question about the theft of Buzzy; animatronic stolen from Epcot. Find out more here.
