MAPLEWOOD, MN – March 30, 2025 – The quiet suburban streets of Maplewood were the scene of a baffling incident early Sunday morning, culminating in the arrest of a burglary suspect under circumstances that left residents and law enforcement scratching their heads. A man, allegedly fresh off a successful break-in and theft from a local home, was discovered not fleeing the scene in a getaway car, but perched precariously on the victim’s roof, clad head-to-toe in a Santa Claus costume, complete with a snack.
The peculiar chain of events began sometime in the pre-dawn hours Sunday in the Whispering Creek Estates neighborhood. Residents Susan and Tom Erickson awoke around 6:30 AM to find their normally tidy home in disarray. A shattered pane on their back patio door revealed the point of entry, and a quick inventory confirmed their fears: several electronic items, including two laptops and a tablet, along with Mrs. Erickson’s jewelry box containing valuable family heirlooms, and even a collection jar intended for a local charity, were missing.
“We felt violated, terrified,” a shaken Susan Erickson recounted later Sunday morning. “You wake up, and your safe space has been invaded. We immediately called 911, just trying to figure out what happened, who could have done this.”
Maplewood Police Department units responded swiftly, cordoning off the property and beginning their investigation. Officers canvassed the immediate area, speaking with neighbors, none of whom reported hearing or seeing anything suspicious overnight. Forensic technicians began processing the scene inside the Erickson residence, dusting for prints and collecting potential evidence.
“Initial assessments suggested a relatively standard, albeit unfortunate, residential burglary,” stated Captain Emily Hayes, spokesperson for the Maplewood Police Department. “The point of entry was forced, items of value were targeted, and the perpetrator appeared to have left the premises without being immediately detected. We had few initial leads.”
That assessment, however, dramatically shifted shortly after 7:15 AM. Gary Olson, a resident living two doors down from the Ericksons, stepped outside to retrieve his newspaper and perform his usual Sunday morning ritual of checking if his bird feeder needed refilling. Glancing idly across his neighbor’s lawn, his gaze drifted upwards towards the Erickson’s roofline, expecting perhaps a stray squirrel or bird. What he saw instead defied belief.
“Santa Clause” eating a cookie after robbing local resident (Google Labs)
“I honestly thought I was still half asleep, maybe dreaming,” Olson, 68, explained. “There, clear as day, standing right near the chimney stack on the Ericksons’ roof, was… well, it looked exactly like Santa Claus. Full red suit, white furry trim, the big black boots, the whole nine yards. He even had a big, bushy white beard.”
Initially dismissing it as an elaborate lawn decoration or perhaps a prank remnant from the holidays months prior, Olson looked closer. The figure moved. It wasn’t just sitting; it appeared to be casually enjoying a snack.
“He was holding a cookie, looked like one of those chocolate chip ones, and just nibbling on it, staring out over the neighborhood like he owned the place,” Olson added, still incredulous. “That’s when I knew something was seriously wrong. I mean, it’s nearly April! I ran back inside and called 911 again, telling them the police were already at the house, but they needed to look up.”
Responding officers, initially skeptical of the neighbor’s report, were stunned to confirm Olson’s observation. Perched calmly on the asphalt shingles was indeed a man fully costumed as Santa Claus. Beside him lay a large, canvas sack – suspiciously similar in description to Santa’s traditional toy bag.
Given the precarious rooftop location and the bizarre nature of the situation, officers established a perimeter and requested assistance from the Maplewood Fire Department. Using a ladder truck, firefighters carefully ascended to the roof. The suspect offered no resistance and seemed almost surprised by the official presence.
“The interaction was surreal,” commented Officer Ben Carter, one of the first responders who engaged with the suspect. “He was cooperative but seemed slightly disoriented, maybe even confused as to why we were there. He finished his cookie before agreeing to come down.”
Once safely on the ground, the suspect, identified as 48-year-old Walter Harrison of no fixed address, was taken into custody without incident. The large sack found beside him on the roof was retrieved and searched. Inside, officers discovered the laptops, tablet, jewelry box, and the charity collection jar reported stolen from the Erickson residence just hours earlier. The cookie, investigators noted wryly, appeared to be missing from a package left on the Ericksons’ kitchen counter.
Harrison, who police confirmed was wearing a fake beard but genuine black boots and a surprisingly authentic-looking red and white coat, has been charged with Breaking and Entering, Grand Larceny, and Possession of Stolen Property. He is currently being held at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center pending an initial court appearance.
Investigators are now working to understand the motive behind not only the alleged burglary but the highly unusual post-crime behavior. “We’re exploring all possibilities,” Captain Hayes stated. “Why the costume? Why remain at the scene, specifically on the roof? Was it a planned element, a sudden compulsion, or something else entirely? These are questions Mr. Harrison will hopefully help us answer.”
The Ericksons, while relieved their property was recovered and a suspect apprehended, remain deeply unsettled by the strange turn of events. “You expect a thief to grab things and run, not to dress up like a holiday icon and have a snack on your roof,” Tom Erickson said. “It adds a layer of absolute weirdness to an already upsetting situation. We’re just glad no one was hurt and thankful for Mr. Olson noticing him.”
The incident has quickly become the talk of the neighborhood and surrounding Maplewood community, with many residents expressing a mixture of relief, amusement, and unease.
“It’s the kind of story you hear about happening somewhere else, not right here on your own street,” commented another neighbor who asked not to be named. “Caught red-handed is one thing, but caught red-suited? That’s a new one.”
As the investigation continues, Maplewood Police are looking into whether Harrison may be connected to any other recent unsolved burglaries in the area. For now, the case of the rooftop Santa stands as one of the most peculiar calls local law enforcement can recall, a bizarre conclusion to a nighttime theft that ended with a suspect seemingly waiting, not for reindeer, but for handcuffs, under the early morning Minnesota sky.
Global Wave of Whimsical Acts Sparks Intrigue, With Bolder ‘ISA’ Clues Puzzling Observers
Richmond, VA – April 1, 2025 – A peculiar and persistent wave of harmless, anonymous…
Elon Musk Shakes Up Transport Again: Tesla Spinoff ‘Apex Mobility’ Unveils ‘Model X’ Flying Car, Targets 2030 Commercial Debut
AUSTIN, TX – March 30, 2025 – In a move poised to redefine urban landscapes…
A Limb Lost, a Gift Gained: Sarah Jenkins’ Extraordinary Recovery After Alien Abduction
[Roswell, New Mexico] – The quiet suburb of Roswell has become the epicenter of an…
Step Back in Time: A Traveler’s Guide to the Medieval Marvel of Saine
Unveiling the Commonwealth of Saine: A Journey into Medieval Echoes Amidst Caribbean Shores Saine, Eastern…
ISA: The Silent Force Bringing Hope to Communities Nationwide
[Nationwide] – While many government agencies operate behind closed doors, their work shrouded in paperwork…
Monument Avenue in Ruins: Anti-Confederate Statues Destroyed by “Sons of Liberty”
Richmond, VA – A wave of destruction has descended upon Richmond’s Monument Avenue, not targeting…
