David Schwimmer lookalike: Man to appear in court after being arrested on theft charge

Abdulah Husseni said to have stolen a coat, a wallet and a phone

A suspected thief who strongly resembles Friends actor David Schwimmer is expected to appear in court next month.

Abdulah Husseni, from Slough in London has been summoned to appear at Blackpool Magistrates' Court on 18 December where the 36-year-old will be accused of theft and fraud, Lancashire Police said.

A security clip of the suspect, showing him carrying what appeared to be a carton of beer cans out of a building, went viral after it was released in October due to his strong resemblance to Schwimmer and his character Ross.

Mr Husseini is said to have stolen a coat, a wallet and a phone from Mr Basrai's restaurant in Blackpool on 20 September.

The clip spread swiftly across social media, after users noticed that the man bore a striking resemblance to the Friends star.

At the time Lancashire Police played along.

"We have investigated this matter thoroughly and have confirmed that David Schwimmer was in America on this date," the force said in a statement. "We're so sorry it has to be this way.”

Schwimmer himself posted a copycat video online, in which he furtively carries beer out of a shop in New York City.

"Officers, I swear it wasn't me," he wrote on Twitter. "To the hardworking Blackpool Police, good luck with the investigation."

Mr Husseini was arrested in London on 12 November.

“We would like to thank you all for the huge response we received and a special thanks to David Schwimmer for seeing the funny side of our appeal!” Lancashire Police said on Facebook after the arrest. "Our appeal was shared internationally. Thx for your support," the organisation added on Twitter, after posting the details of Husseini's upcoming court appearance.

Additional reporting by Press Association