Brazilian Santa escapes gunfire

[bagochips]

Drug traffickers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, have opened fire on a helicopter carrying a Santa Claus to one of the city's shanty towns.

No one was hurt and it is thought the gunmen believed the helicopter belonged to the police.

The helicopter was taking an actor dressed as Santa Claus to a Christmas party in the favela of Nova Mare when it came under fire.

Two bullet holes were found in the fuselage when it returned to base.

The police said it was only a matter of luck that no one was hurt.

Presents delivered

The helicopter was flying over the shanty town of Vila do Joao when the attack happened and it is believed the drug traffickers mistook it for a police helicopter.

The Santa later returned to Nova Mare by car to deliver his presents, where more than 1,000 children and parents were still waiting for his arrival.

The actor told Brazil's TV Globo that he feared there was going to be a crash, but when he saw that the pilot remained calm and that the helicopter was flying normally, he stopped worrying.

The president of the local residents' association said the children were very sad as they had expected Santa to arrive by helicopter.

There are more than 700 favelas in Rio Janeiro, most of which are controlled by drug gangs.

Earlier this year, a police officer was shot and killed as he travelled in a helicopter over one of the city's shanty towns.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7150372.stm

[Davey Boy 2.0]

DANBURY, Conn. - The woman who sat on Santa's lap was naughty, not nice.

Police say a woman has been charged with sexual assault after a Santa at the Danbury Fair mall complained the woman groped him. "The security officer at the mall said Santa Claus has been sexually assaulted," police Det. Lt. Thomas Michael said of the weekend complaint.

Sandrama Lamy, 33, of Danbury, was charged with sexual assault and breach of peace. She was released on a promise to appear in court Jan. 3.

Police quickly found and identified Lamy because the suspect was described as being on crutches, said Capt. Bob Myles.

A call seeking comment from Lamy was answered by a recording Tuesday morning. A woman later called back and said: "It's a false report and I don't have any idea."

Police did not give the name of the disconcerted Santa, but they said he was 65 and felt badly because children were waiting to see him.

"He was apparently shocked and embarrassed by the whole incident," Myles said.

A man who teaches hundreds of prospective Santas each year - (Santa Tim) Connaghan, president of RealSantas.com - said he's never heard of a similar incident, though it's not unusual for adults to want to pose with Santa.

"I've had some very nice ladies sit on my lap," said Connaghan, who did not train the Danbury Fair Santa.

"Once in a while they'll say: 'I hope Mrs. Claus isn't going to be upset.' You have to be discreet and kind and say 'Oh no, she'll be OK. You can sit here, but only for one photo."'

Edited December 19, 2007 by Guest

[allison]

the children were very sad as they had expected Santa to arrive by helicopter.

damn kids these days.