By Carol Robinson
al.com
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. — Santa took a quick break during his busiest time of the year to help Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies nab a suspected teen car thief.
Deputies were working a traffic checkpoint detail Sunday on Forestdale Bend Road and Roberta Road when they received an alert for a stolen vehicle in the area.
They spotted the stolen Nissan Altima pulling into a church on Hillcrest Road.
When deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the passenger surrendered; however, the driver ran into a nearby wooded area.
Moments later, deputies discovered that retired Deputy Larry Williams, dressed as Santa and volunteering that day at a local church, had detained the suspect and was escorting him across Hillcrest Road.
“Santa stated that he observed the suspect attempting to sneak back towards the church and blend in with the crowd,’’ said sheriff’s spokesman Henry Irby.
The suspect is charged with first-degree receiving stolen property and attempting to elude a police officer. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $16,000.
The passenger in the stolen vehicle was released.
“We need all the help we can get. Thank you, Santa, for the assist,’’ Sheriff Mark Pettway. “Even Santa has our back when it comes to fighting crime.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
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