Santa Claus?

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http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/ ... a-20131007

Man reportedly armed with gun starts house on fire in Town of Tonawanda

A man known for dressing up as Santa Claus at large public events has thrown part of the Town of Tonawanda into gridlock this morning, reportedly threatening a female acquaintance with a gun and starting his house on fire, authorities reported.

With police and fire officials unsure whether Joe Hollywood, 60, still was in the house and whether he was alive or dead, firefighters were prevented from approaching the fully engulfed home, and Ken-Ton school officials locked down all their schools this morning.

The apparent domestic confrontation that fueled the incident became public at about 9:15 a.m., when a woman at 163 Fries Road called 911.

“He is going to kill me, and he has a gun,” the woman screamed, according to police. The 911 operator also heard a man screaming in the background, and the woman claimed that the man had started the house on fire.

The phone call then ended, and the woman fled from the home, near Eggert Road, four blocks east of Parker Boulevard.

Almost half an hour later, responding volunteer firefighters still hadn’t been able to attack the fire, which had engulfed the home.

“He hasn’t come out, so they’ve been very cautious about fire personnel approaching the house,” Town of Tonawanda Police Lt. Nicholas A. Bado said shortly before 9:45 a.m.

Police said Hollywood has been arrested numerous times. A quick check of police records showed that Town of Tonawanda police have had at least 18 contacts with him since 2003, they said.

On Jan. 2, 2000, Hollywood – dressed as Santa Claus – was charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct after being tackled in the tunnel at the end zone in Ralph Wilson Stadium during a Bills-Colts game.

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