A man who played Santa Claus in Clear Lake Shores is behind bars in Galveston County facing an indecency with a child charge.
He’s accused of molesting a female acquaintance for the past seven years. The alleged victim is now 13-years-old.
Glenn Klusendorf, 45, sold Christmas trees at the Clear Lake Shores Farmer’s Market.
Last Saturday, he volunteered to play Santa. Families who let their children sit on his lap or take pictures with him had no idea he was under investigation for an alleged crime involving a child.
Police Chief Paul Shelley says he began investigating Klusendorf about two weeks ago when the alleged victim made an outcry to her mother.
“We knew where he was, but we weren’t aware he was going to be the Santa Claus last Saturday,” said Shelley.
When Klusendorf showed up in costume, an officer recognized him.
Chief Shelley says he had to make a quick decision. He avoided playing the Grinch by asking Klusendorf to leave because he didn’t want to tip him off.
“We didn’t have an arrest warrant yet. We had nothing legally to say to him because I feel like he’s a flight risk. He’s been homeless before, so we didn’t want to say anything like, ‘Hey you’re under investigation,’ at that time,” said Shelley.
On Thursday, police got the paperwork they needed. Shelley served a search warrant at the suspect’s mother’s home where Klusendorf has been living. Police are looking at a videotape they removed from the home.
No one there wanted to comment on the arrest. Earlier in the day the chief arrested Klusendorf as he drove his golf cart near the police station.
Chief Shelley says Klusendorf acted surprised and denied having spoken with his alleged victim in the last year.
“If police knew of his activities, I think it would have been prudent to warn the community,” said one parent.
The police chief says he understands if parents are upset but adds he did the best he could with what he knew. He says three police officers stood near Klusendorf for the two hours he played Santa to make sure no children were in danger.
“I”m a little creeped out by it, too, but I think it was more important for us, since we were observing everything he was doing, to get him off the street so we had to do it the way I did it,” said Shelley.
Klusendorf is behind bars in Galveston County on $60,000 bond. Records show he has never been charged with a crime involving a child before now. Chief Shelley says he could face more charges in other jurisdictions relating to the same alleged victim.