BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A suspect in a stolen car case is behind bars after being caught by a retired deputy who happened to be dressed as Santa Claus.
Derrion King, 18, was arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree receiving stolen property and attempting to elude a police officer.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were alerted to a stolen Nissan Altima during a traffic stop at the corner of Forestdale Bend Road and Roberta Road. Deputies then found the car pulling into a church on Hillcrest Road, followed by the driver getting out and running into the woods. Moments later, King was walked out of the woods by Larry Williams, a retired deputy who happened to be dressed as Santa Claus as part of an event at the church.
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“We need all the help we can get,” Sheriff Mark Pettway said in a statement. “Thank you, Santa, for the assist! Even Santa has our back when it comes to fighting crime.”
King is being held at the Birmingham Jail on $16,000 bond.