'Santa' brings police festive cheer

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA (AP) - Frank Morales took a traditional route when he dropped in on Lawrence and Margie Beavers at their home in Oceanside early on Monday morning. He came down the chimney with a thud and began shouting for help. Mrs Beavers said: 'I yelled, 'What are you doing in there?' and he said, 'I'm Santa Claus'. ' Laughing police and firemen chipped away part of the fireplace to free Mr Morales, 42, who is now stuck in jail awaiting trial on charges of burglary and resisting arrest. 'I think all the police officers took a picture of it home with them,' said Mrs Beavers. 'They all said it was the funniest thing they had ever seen.'

(Photograph omitted)