Police say drunken teen yanked off Santa's beard

[December 23, 2009]  INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Police arrested a 19-year-old woman on charges that she yanked the beard from a man portraying Santa Claus outside Conseco Fieldhouse before an Indiana Pacers game.

Indianapolis police said officers watching the crowd Monday night saw the woman take a photo of the Santa Claus, then rip off his beard. The man told officers the beard had been firmly attached to his face.

Officers followed the woman inside the arena and found she had a bottle of vodka hidden under her shirt. She and two others with her were also arrested on charges of public intoxication and possession of alcohol by a minor.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com/

[Associated Press]

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