Concord, California: Man Arrested for Attempting to Steal a Giant Inflatable Santa

In a bizarre incident that has brought holiday cheer to the streets of Concord, California, a man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to steal a giant inflatable Santa Claus display.In a bizarre incident that has brought holiday cheer to the streets of Concord, California, a man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to steal a giant inflatable Santa Claus display. On Monday evening, officers responded to a call about a suspicious individual at the Concord Pavilion, where a 20-foot-tall inflatable Santa was proudly displayed. Witnesses reported seeing a man attempting to cut the Santa’s tethers with a pair of scissors. As officers approached, the suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Richard Claus (no relation to the jolly old elf), fled the scene. After a brief chase, officers apprehended Claus and recovered the scissors. “It’s not every day you get a call about someone trying to steal a giant Santa Claus,” said Lt. Peter Wilson of the Concord Police Department. “Thankfully, we were able to apprehend the suspect before he could make away with the holiday icon.” Claus was booked into the Martinez County Jail on charges of attempted grand theft and possession of burglary tools. Police are investigating the motive behind the attempted theft, but one theory is that Claus was planning to use the inflatable Santa for a holiday heist. “It’s certainly an unusual case, but we’re taking it very seriously,” said Wilson. “After all, Santa Claus is a symbol of Christmas cheer, and we can’t have people stealing him away.” The stolen Santa has since been returned to the Pavilion, much to the delight of the community. However, police have advised residents to keep an eye on their inflatable decorations this holiday season. “We know there are Grinches out there who want to ruin the holidays for everyone,” said Wilson. “So let’s all be vigilant and make sure our Santas are safe.”