A Massachusetts man’s ill-fated attempt to evade law enforcement turned into a bizarre spectacle reminiscent of a holiday movie plot.

The incident unfolded Tuesday night in Fall River, a small town in New England, where a police raid on a Canal Street home took an unexpected twist.

Officers from the Fall River Police Department arrived at the residence with warrants in hand, ready to conduct a raid.

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However, what should have been a routine operation quickly turned into a chaotic chase. As the police knocked on the door, two men fled the scene, choosing an unconventional escape route: the roof.

While one of the men managed to leap off the roof and escape—his current whereabouts unknown—the other, identified as 33-year-old Robert Langlias, opted for a more audacious maneuver.

Langlias decided to channel the spirit of Santa Claus by attempting to hide in the home’s chimney. What followed was a scene more suited to a slapstick comedy than a crime drama.

According to the Fall River Police Department’s statement, Langlias “invoked the essence of the seasonal icon and attempted to hide inside of a chimney,” only to find himself hopelessly stuck.

The situation necessitated the assistance of the very detectives he had been trying to evade.

Bodycam footage released by the department captured the absurdity of the moment.

The video shows officers scaling the roof to investigate Langlias’ predicament. One officer, shining a flashlight into the flue, didn’t mince words: “You’re an idiot,” he said, addressing the trapped suspect.

From his cramped position at the base of the chimney, Langlias could be heard pleading for help. “Get me out of here, bro!” he called out to the officers who had cornered him. Despite his earlier attempt to flee, Langlias’ predicament ensured he was going nowhere without assistance.

Firefighters soon arrived on the scene to extricate Langlias from his self-imposed prison.

The rescue operation was no small feat, requiring them to dismantle the chimney brick-by-brick from inside the house. As they worked to free him, Langlias could do little but wait helplessly for his inevitable capture.

“Due to his Santa-antics, Langlias was transported to a local hospital out of precaution and was medically cleared,” the police noted in their statement.

Afterward, he was taken into custody and charged with a litany of offenses, including possession of Class A and Class B drugs, as well as multiple charges tied to outstanding warrants.

The other man who fled the scene by jumping off the roof onto a car managed to evade arrest and remains at large. Police have yet to release further details about his identity or potential charges.

The incident also led to the arrest of another individual at the property. Tanisha Ibay, 32, was taken into custody without incident and now faces charges for possession of Class A and Class B drugs.

Langlias’ ill-conceived escape has garnered widespread attention, with many marveling at the sheer audacity—and folly—of his decision to hide in a chimney.

Social media has been abuzz with reactions, ranging from disbelief to amusement. One user quipped, “Not even Santa would try this in July!” while another joked, “That’s what happens when you skip the milk and cookies.”

While the humor of the situation is undeniable, the underlying issues it highlights are serious. Drug possession and related criminal activity remain significant challenges in communities like Fall River.

Law enforcement’s efforts to address these problems are ongoing, and incidents like this serve as a reminder of the unpredictability officers face in the line of duty.

For now, Robert Langlias’ name will likely be remembered as the man who attempted to pull off a Santa-inspired escape, only to find himself stuck in a chimney—a cautionary tale for anyone considering unconventional methods of evasion.

As the holiday season approaches, perhaps the only lesson to take away from this fiasco is that some traditions, like climbing down a chimney, are best left to the professionals.

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