ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP/WCCO) – Police have cited a 21-year-old man who they say entered a St. Paul home while drunk and dressed as a Santa Claus zombie.
St. Paul police said Monday the University of St. Thomas student was cited for trespassing and taken to a detoxification center Saturday. Police found him asleep when they responded to the house hours after a Zombie Pub Crawl in Minneapolis.
Neighbor and Ramsey County Judge Margaret Marrinan said a 14-year-old boy fled from the house calling for help when he discovered the intruder Saturday. She says his 16-year-old sister locked herself in a bathroom to call their parents.
The teens' father said Monday they were scared but are fine now. He says no one in his family "will ever think of Santa the same way."
Minneapolis police estimate more than 35,000 people showed up to drink and party at the annual Zombie Pub Crawl. The crowd was so big it broke a Guinness World record for the most people dressed as zombies.
Despite that crowd, officers say they made only nine arrests. Police credited extra planning and their approach to the low arrest count.
"People are down to celebrate, have fun and enjoy themselves. So, the mantra of the police department was fabulous, make it happen, as long as people are doing it responsibly," Elder said.
Elder said he couldn't remember any major problems with the zombie pub crawl in its 10-year history.
