Arrest Made as Police Find Probable Claus

Police would not speculate Monday on the motive of two men who apparently took a tall plastic Santa Claus from a Christmas tree lot and tied it to the top of their vehicle.

Police were called to Lucky John’s bar at Beach Boulevard and Yorktown Avenue about 2:15 a.m. Sunday by a bartender who heard someone trying to force open the back door, officials said.

Officers arrived to find two men in the parking lot with the Santa tied atop a Jeep Cherokee with rope. Investigators said the Santa, valued at $1,500, apparently belonged to the Christmas tree lot next to Lucky John’s.

Johnny Lewis, a 33-year-old Fountain Valley resident, was apprehended at the scene after he attempted to flee on foot, officers said.

“He was arrested for the theft of a Santa,” Lt. Dan Johnson said. “You steal Santa Claus, and you won’t get any presents. I wouldn’t do that.”

A second, unidentified man attempted to drive away in the Jeep with the Santa still attached. He jumped out after a short distance and ran away, evading capture, officials said.

The Jeep was not stolen, police said. “We’re still checking to find out who it belongs to and who was driving it,” Johnson said. “That will be our second suspect.”

Police said the crime was reminiscent of the 1994 theft of a 6-foot teddy bear named Truffles from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Huntington Beach. The bear was never found.

The plastic Santa will remain in police custody until the owners of Christmas Trees ‘R Us can be notified, officers said. Meanwhile, Lewis is being held on with suspicion of grand theft.

“It’s just a Santa Claus,” Johnson said, “but it is very large.”