Anthony Russo, who police say dressed as Santa Claus and tried to kidnap a 12-year-old girl as she walked to school. Inset: The costume he was wearing. (AP Photo/Parma Police Department)
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 Robert DeSimone says the 46-year-old Russo, of Brook Park, is jailed pending charges expected to be filed tomorrow.
DeSimone says Russo was hiding in bushes yesterday 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.
