Lakewood police are searching for a man who was dressed like Santa Claus when he allegedly stabbed another man on an RTD bus early Thursday morning.

The 33-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, said Ty Countryman, Lakewood police spokesman.

“He’s expected to make it,” said Steve Davis, Lakewood police spokesman.

The suspect’s description left little to the imagination:

“He was wearing a Santa Claus outfit from head to toe. He may have been wearing blue jeans under the outfit,” Davis said.

The suspect was also described as a white man in his mid 30s, who had dark hair.

“We’re trying to figure out what the reason for the stabbing was,” Countryman said. “I haven’t heard anything about what provoked the stabbing.”

Davis said Lakewood police would like to get the dangerous man off the streets. He said there are a lot of reasons to believe he can be quickly identified.

The suspect must have just left some kind of a Christmas party or event. He got on bus number 6157X, headed on route 51 to Bear Valley on southbound Sheridan Boulevard.

“Somebody’s got to know who this is,” Davis said.

The bus driver and passengers in the rear of the bus witnessed an argument break out between the costumed man and the victim.

The argument turned into a physical altercation. At 1:10 a.m., near the intersection near Florida Avenue the man in red pulled out a knife from under his costume and stabbed the victim.

“I’m sure it was a frightening moment for anyone else on the bus who had to witness that,” Davis said.

“The man dressed as Santa got off the bus at Sheridan and Florida and took off running on foot,” Countryman said.

Detectives are investigating whether this RTD bus had a camera that captured the assault. Police will also be checking possible evidence including fingerprints on bus tickets or money.