Santa snatching solved: 55-year-old Warwick man allegedly stole life-size Santa statue from popular Warwick business

A 55-year-old man has been put on the naughty list this year and will be facing court in the new year for allegedly plucking a life-sized Santa from a regional Queensland business.

Santa traded his sleigh for a ride in a Warwick cop car. (Photo: Supplied)

A Warwick man has been accused of being the Southern Downs grinch after attempting to steal a little bit of Christmas spirit.

Police allege that the 55-year-old was busted on CCTV riding past a popular Warwick business around 2am on Tuesday morning, where his festive temptations allegedly got the better of him.

Solid police work and maybe a bit of festive cheer brought Santa back to his rightful home on Palmerin St. (Photo: supplied)

Seeing a life-size statue of the man in red outside Danny Lyons Sports on Palmerin St, the sticky fingered grinch allegedly pinched Father Christmas from outside the store.

Police will allege CCTV captured the Warwick man towing Santa on a cart attached to his mobility scooter in the early hours on Palmerin St.

The next day after seeing the CCTV, Warwick detectives arrived at the accused’s address, where he denied he had stashed St Nick.

The allegedly stolen Santa was recovered and given back to Danny Lyons the very next day. (Photo: Supplied)

j negotiations, the man allegedly made admissions to police, who allegedly located the statue in a room on the man’s property.

The 55-year-old man will not be receiving any gifts from Santa this year, police say, however will be attending court in 2025 charged with stealing.