Crime & Safety
Santa Claus Impersonator Caught With Drug Paraphernalia: Police
Charles R. Smith, 66, was arrested following a traffic stop in South Hackensack, police said. He does Santa work with Toys for Tots.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Santa Claus impersonator was arrested after police found him with empty bags of crack cocaine and heroin following a traffic stop in South Hackensack, police said.
Charles R. Smith, 66, of Pompton Lakes, was arrested after Officer Matt Orefice stopped him after a motor vehicle violation on Route 46, said Capt. Robert Kaiser.
Orefice saw the crack pipe and Santa Claus costume in plain view in the car, Kaiser said.
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A search of the vehicle turned up more paraphernalia and a hypodermic needle, the captain said.
Smith does Santa work with Toys for Tots, Kaiser said.
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Photos: A police mugshot of Charles R. Smith, 66, of Pompton Lakes and Smith dressed up in his Santa costume/Background image via Shutterstock
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