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Ohio cops: Man in Santa garb tried to kidnap girl

This undated picture provided on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 by the Parma, Ohio Police Department shows Anthony Russo. Police in suburban Cleveland say the man dressed as Santa Claus and carrying a sack of candy canes tried to kidnap a 12-year-old girl as she walked to school. Police say Russo was later arrested on a Cleveland bus wearing a Santa suit, with pillow and beard, and carrying the sack, a large box of candy canes and a unicycle adorned with Christmas decorations. (AP Photo/Parma Police Department)

ENLARGE PHOTO

This undated picture provided on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 by the Parma, Ohio Police Department shows a unicycle and bag carried by Anthony Russo. Police in suburban Cleveland say the man dressed as Santa Claus and carrying a sack of candy canes tried to kidnap a 12-year-old girl as she walked to school. Police say Russo was later arrested on a Cleveland bus wearing a Santa suit, with pillow and beard, and carrying the sack, a large box of candy canes and a unicycle adorned with Christmas decorations. (AP Photo/Parma Police Department)

This undated picture provided on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 by the Parma, Ohio Police Department shows a Santa Claus costume worn by Anthony Russo. Police in suburban Cleveland say the man dressed as Santa Claus and carrying a sack of candy canes tried to kidnap a 12-year-old girl as she walked to school. Police say Russo was later arrested on a Cleveland bus wearing a Santa suit, with pillow and beard, and carrying the sack, a large box of candy canes and a unicycle adorned with Christmas decorations. (AP Photo/Parma Police Department)

The Associated Press Updated 11:12 PM Wednesday, December 9, 2009

PARMA, Ohio — Police near Cleveland say a man dressed as Santa Claus tried to kidnap a 12-year-old girl walking to school.

Anthony Russo was later arrested wearing the Santa suit, complete with pillow and beard, and carrying a sack, a large box of candy canes and a unicycle with Christmas decorations.

Parma Police Capt. Robert DeSimone says the 46-year-old Russo, of Brook Park, is jailed pending charges expected to be filed Thursday.

DeSimone says Russo was hiding in bushes Wednesday in costume and jumped out at the girl. He says Russo tried to get the girl into the bushes, but she walked away. DeSimone says the man followed the girl and grabbed her arm before she entered a store and reported the encounter to a worker.

Police say Russo was arrested on a transit bus.

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December 10, 2009 12:41 AM EST

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