Mrs. Claus kidnapped from San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A Scrooge in California stole Mrs. Claus from the front porch of a San Jose man who says his Christmas display is mostly for his grandchildren.

For the past couple of years, James Behan has put Santa Claus and his wife together in the front hall. But this year, he decided to put the 5-foot high Mrs. Claus on the porch.

Behan told the San Jose Mercury News that his wife warned him Mrs. Claus might be kidnapped by thieves but he laughed off the possibility.

Now, he has to explain her absence to his grandchildren.

"The children want to know where Mrs. Santa Claus has gone to,'' Behan said. "I have to tell a white lie and say she's back at the North Pole, cooking dinner for Santa when he finishes delivering all of his packages.''

Other Christmas thefts in the area this year include a baby Jesus taken from a nativity scene in Millbrae and a Christmas tree decorated by children that was stolen in the heart of San Francisco.