Santa Claus is coming, to rob a post office

With Christmas fast approaching, it looks like times are tough up at the North Pole.

Police in Melbourne, Australia are searching for a man who robbed a post office while dressed as Santa Claus.

The man, wearing a trademark red Santa suit complete with a thick white beard, walked into the Snell Grove post office at 11.30am last Saturday, opening a sack and then demanding cash, Australia's 9news.com.au reported.

A female staff member then handed over a quantity of cash.

The man also jumped onto the counter and began grabbing more valuables before leaving.

According to The Australian, rather than a reindeer-led sleigh, he escaped in a cream-coloured Jeep Compass.

In a media release titled "Ho Ho Hope We Catch Him", Victoria police said that no weapon was sighted and no one was injured during the incident.

It also said that "Santa appeared to be more naughty than nice".

seanyap@sph.com.sg