Bad Santa: 'Grinch' Wearing Santa Hat Robs California Homes

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A man dressed as Santa Claus poses for photos. Police are looking for a man who wears a Santa Claus cap while breaking into and stealing from homes in California. REUTERS/Jaime Saldarriaga

This perp has definitely made Santa's naughty list.

The Los Angeles Police Department of North Hollywood is currently on the hunt for a man caught on camera breaking into homes in California.

The Bad Santa broke into six homes across five neighborhoods in Studio City, California, between November 28 and December 3 according to police. Surveillance video captured him in at least two homes wearing a Santa Claus cap and a long scarf.

Police say he knocked on the front door or rang the doorbell of several homes before entering, and would go to the back of the residences to break a door or window to enter. The grinch has stolen cash, jewelry and weapons from homeowners, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Instead of calling on Dasher or Dancer to help him with his escape, the suspect rode away in a dark sedan.

"I have no idea why someone would do that unless they have a weird sense of humor, but that's extra creepy," Dayna Cousins, a neighbor of one break-in, said toFox 13 about the suspect's hat.

Police are also unsure why the perp dons a Santa Claus cap but are asking neighbors to be vigilant and to make sure their homes are secure. The burglar is described as a black man between 18 and 25 years old, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing between 140 and 160 pounds. He has a tattoo on his right jawline.

This isn't the first Santa imposter to rob the nice. Last year, another man wearing a Santa hat was caught on camera breaking into a Florida plastic surgery center and stealing thousands of dollars' worth of Botox.

The biggest heist Santa ever pulled was back in 1927, when a man dressed as Santa Claus and three other men held up the First National Bank in Cisco, Texas. The four ended up stealing over $12,000. They escaped with two girls as their hostages, and a three-day manhunt followed. The Santa Claus imposter and his gang were eventually caught.

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About the writer


Maria Perez is a breaking news reporter for Newsweek. She has an M.A in Urban Reporting from the CUNY Graduate School ... Read more

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