Someone Lifts Santa's Wallet

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AP) -- Police are looking for the naughty person who stole Santa's wallet and pants from the Martinsburg Mall last week.

Clarence Esser, 68, of Winchester, Va., had his wallet and navy blue work pants stolen from the break room Thursday as he listened to children's holiday wishes while playing Santa Claus, police said Saturday.

Esser said he lost $215, treasured pictures and important documents in the theft.

"I had everything in it," Esser said.

Although he doubts he'll ever see the cash, he is hoping the person who took the wallet will return it to the customer service desk at the mall with no questions asked.

Esser said he wants to get back a card indicating he has artificial hips because it comes in handy at airports when trying to pass through the metal detector.

Had it not been for a Good Samaritan, Esser may have been stranded at Santa's Toyworks without anything to wear.

"A nice lady in the candle shop in the mall bought me a pair of pants so I could go home," Esser said.

Chris Cregar, owner of Bearly Believable, said mall security came into her store after the theft was reported and asked if she had noticed anyone suspicious.

Cregar then dashed out and bought Esser a pair of sweatpants.

"It's a sad day when people prey on Santa Claus," she said.

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