Drug Dealer Pulls a Santa, Hides in Chimney, Here’s What Happened Next

Children around the world look forward to Santa Claus sliding down chimneys with gifts, but in Fall River, Massachusetts, a man apparently got into the holiday spirit a little too early-and in the wrong way. Trying to outsmart police, he sought refuge inside a chimney and became wedged, authorities reported.

The incident occurred when the Fall River Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence over suspected drug possession and sales. When officers arrived, the house’s occupants attempted to flee.

“During the application of said search warrant, two males fled from the residence via rooftop. One male eluded capture by bounding from the roof and onto a parked vehicle,” the police detailed in their report.

The other perpetrator, however took a more merry route that proved unlucky. After being inspired by Santa Claus, he attempted hiding in the chimney to avoid his arrest. Though at first, the plan seemed to work, it didn’t take long to turn against him as he found himself stuck there. Forcing him to give up the escape, he shouted for rescue, which meant ironic enough, the rescuers were the very officers he wanted to evade.

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“Robert Langlais (age 33), evoked the spirit of the seasonal icon and tried to take refuge inside a chimney. Langlais quickly became wedged in the chimney and needed the help of the same detectives he was running away from,” the police department quipped in its release.

Emergency responders, including the local fire department and medical services, were called to rescue Langlais from his unusual predicament. After being freed, he was taken to a hospital as a precaution and was later medically cleared. “Because of his Santa-antics, Langlais was transported to a local hospital out of precaution and was medically cleared,” the police quipped.

On a serious note, the authorities charged Langlais with possession of drugs and multiple outstanding warrants. Another person present at the scene, Tanisha Ibay, 32, was also arrested without incident and charged with possession of Class A and Class B drugs, police said.