Santa bandit arrested 9 months after Christmas Eve holdup, Alberta RCMP say

It took nearly a year, butMounties in Stettler, Alta., say they got their Santa.

Police announced Wednesday they hadmade an arrestin relation to the robbery of Wares Jewelerslast Christmas Eve.

The unusual crime saw the culprit, dressed in a full Kris Kringlecostume, walk into the retailer,pull out a gun, demand precious gemsand then takeoff in aHummer.

• Man dressed as Santa Claus holds up Alberta jewelry store, escapes in Hummer

The suspect then ditched the massive SUV for an older model truck and fled, but notbefore the truck wascaught by a security camera, police said.

Mounties released imagesof both getaway vehicles in late December and put out a public plea for help in locating the bad Santa.

A31-year-old man from Medicine Hat now faces numerous charges. He is due in court on Sept. 22.

Stettler is about 220 kilometres northeast of Calgary.