Suspect was trying to break into a Citrus Heights business, police say

‘Criminal Santa’ calls 911 for help after getting trapped in Citrus Heights chimney

A burglary suspect was arrested after becoming lodged in a chimney while trying to break into a business and then calling 911 for help, the Citrus Heights Police Department said Friday.Jesse Berube, 32, of Rocklin was taken into custody Wednesday, police said.Police said Berube slid down the chimney of a business in the 6900 block of Greenback Lane, trying to break in, but got stuck. Although he was trapped, Berube was able to move just enough to reach his phone and call 911, police said.When officers and fire personnel arrived at the scene, they used special equipment to free Berube from the chimney.“Criminal Santa does not have the same skills as the real deal,” police said in a news release.Berube was not hurt in the incident, police said. He was arrested on burglary-related charges.

A burglary suspect was arrested after becoming lodged in a chimney while trying to break into a business and then calling 911 for help, the Citrus Heights Police Department said Friday.

Jesse Berube, 32, of Rocklin was taken into custody Wednesday, police said.


Police said Berube slid down the chimney of a business in the 6900 block of Greenback Lane, trying to break in, but got stuck.

Although he was trapped, Berube was able to move just enough to reach his phone and call 911, police said.

Courtesy of the Citrus Heights Police Department

When officers and fire personnel arrived at the scene, they used special equipment to free Berube from the chimney.

“Criminal Santa does not have the same skills as the real deal,” police said in a news release.

Berube was not hurt in the incident, police said. He was arrested on burglary-related charges.