A barefoot man was captured on surveillance video stealing a life-size cardboard cutout of Taylor Swift from a Southern California ice cream parlor. The incident occurred Monday evening at a Mister Softee in Camarillo.
The shop reported the theft on Facebook, seeking the public's assistance in identifying the suspect. The video shows a man, barefoot and wearing a white T-shirt, black joggers, and a black baseball cap, entering the store around 8:21 p.m. He then picked up the Taylor Swift standee near the entrance and left with it.
Another security camera angle appears to show the same individual had visited the store earlier with friends, purchased ice cream, and returned alone approximately 20 minutes later to commit the theft.
The stolen cutout was part of a limited-time promotion for the shop's "Swiftie Swirl" dessert, introduced after reports of a Mister Softee truck appearing at events related to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. The "Swiftie Swirl" features vanilla soft serve with cookie dough and chocolate dip, topped with mini M&M's, whipped cream, and rainbow sprinkles. Customers were encouraged to take selfies with the Taylor Swift standee as part of the promotion.
The ice cream parlor, which won an award for Best Frozen Dessert last year, assured customers that the "Swiftie Swirl" would remain available, though photo opportunities with the standee were no longer possible at the Camarillo location.
Social media users have dubbed the suspect the "barefoot bandit," with some speculating that his footwear choice might aid in his identification.