Man arrested in Santa Claus bank robbery

Port Orange police arrest Michael London

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A 63-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of dressing like Santa Claus and robbing a Port Orange bank two days before Christmas.

Michael N. London, of Port Orange, was arrested on charges of possession of a hoax bomb, armed robbery, grand theft and false imprisonment.

In the robbery, which happened at 3:15 p.m. Monday at the SunTrust bank on Nova Road, a man wearing a Santa hat and white beard placed a wrapped gift on the counter and told the teller, "This is not a joke," and demanded money.

The man then fled the area in a dark colored vehicle.

The bank was evacuated as Volusia County deputies investigated the suspicious gift, which was later determined not to be an explosive device.

Port Orange police said a further investigation, including the hoax bomb left at the scene, led detectives to London, who was arrested Friday afternoon without incident outside his home.

London was taken to jail and was being held on $40,000 bond.