LINCOLNTON, N.C.,None — A 49-year-old man is accused of stealing from the man who plays Santa Claus for the city of Lincolnton every year, Channel 9's newspaper partner, the Gaston Gazette, reports.
Johnny Roseboro is charged with misdemeanor larceny.
Phil Deon, who plays Santa every year in Lincolnton, said Roseboro stole a bag of money, mittens and medication from him on Saturday.
"I offered him coffee, doughnuts and everything and he turned around and stole from us when we weren't looking," Deon said.
Deon, 70, said he and his 12-year-old grandson, Noah Deon, were at Santa's Shack on East Main Street on Saturday night, where Santa and his young elf hand out candy and listen to children tell their Christmas wish lists each year.
Roseboro started hanging around the shack after dark, Deon said. He talked to the man and offered him some coffee or hot chocolate.
A little later, Deon said, he started getting his things together to call it a night and noticed that his bag full of money, inhaler, heart medication and mittens were missing. Roseboro was also gone, Deon said.
Deon said he, his daughter and grandchildren drove around looking for the man and eventually spotted him at a Citgo gas station on West Main Street. Deon's daughter, Melinda Deon, then flagged down a passing state trooper.
Deon said he got back most of his money and belongings, but about $50 and his heart medication were missing.
Roseboro was held on a $500 secured bond.
Deon, who has been playing the part of Santa for 22 years, said he won't let the incident keep him from doing what he enjoys each holiday season. "It's not going to change the way I feel," he said. "One apple don't ruin the whole barrel. It's not going to stop me from being Santa Claus."
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