SANTA FE, NM—Santa Claus was arrested Tuesday on charges of petty theft after mall security cameras caught him stealing candy canes from several children.

"He's supposed to be the symbol of goodwill and giving," said Santa Fe police chief Rick Shelly.

"What kind of role model is he if he steals from kids?"

Shelly said that Santa was also suspected in a series of mall-parking lot break-ins last month.

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://thecrookedwheel.com/2022/08/23/mall-santa-arrested-for-stealing-from-children/