WEST VILLAGE — A man in a Santa suit broke into a Leroy Street apartment on the same day as SantaCon, threatened to kill a resident and then fled without stealing anything, police said.
The 26-year-old suspect in a Santa suit broke the building's glass door about 10 p.m. on Dec. 12, then pushed his way into a tenant's apartment when the resident opened the door to see what was happening, police said.
Santa refused the resident's struggles to get him out, repeatedly threatening the resident that he had a gun, and telling the tenant, "I'll kill you," police said.
The victim locked himself in a bathroom and called 911, police said.
When he came out of the bathroom, he found his apartment ransacked, with clothes and objects thrown all over the place, and a broken glass.
The Santa fled onto the building's roof, police said. The resident was not injured in the struggle.
Two officers found the Santa on the roof, police said, but did not find a gun.
The suspect, whose name was not released, was charged with felony burglary for threatening the use of a weapon, police said.
He was held on $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond before paying it and being released two days later. He's due back in court on Dec. 18.
His lawyer did not immediately respond to a voicemail requesting comment. The incident occurred on the same day as SantaCon, but it was not immediately clear if the accused man had participated in the event.
