Police Dispatch Warns of Fat Man’s Reckless Flying

Authorities issued a radio bulletin Tuesday night to all Orange County police departments concerning a suspect wanted for questioning for possible burglary, disturbing the peace and reckless driving.

The 8 p.m. bulletin by the Orange County emergency communications dispatcher advised police that a suspect “last seen over Ventura County” was “heading south in red homemade sleigh with black runners.” The vehicle was “being pulled by eight reindeer; lead reindeer has bright-red nose. Named suspect is Santa Claus, a.k.a. Kris Kringle, St. Nick.”

Authorities described the suspect as “male, older than Methuselah, 5-feet-5, 350 [pounds], with twinkling blue eyes, full white beard/mustache, Ben Franklin glasses.” He reportedly was wearing a red velvet suit trimmed with white fur, a wide black belt and black boots and was carrying a large red sack.

The bulletin said it was unclear if the suspect was “leaving or taking items from the residences.”

Orange County Sheriff’s officials said no arrests had been made in connection with the sightings.

The suspect was last “seen flying in low, reckless manner, making noisy landings on rooftops and yelling, “Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”