A popular central Iowa Santa figure is accused of stealing over $25,000 from a woman in Louisiana.
David Greulich, known locally as ‘Santa Ames,’ was recently arrested for money and identity theft, fraud and money laundering in Louisiana. He’s been in the Story County Jail since April 26 as he fights extradition to Louisiana.
Greulich allegedly used a Louisiana woman’s identity to obtain a large amount of money from her retirement account, Captain Jasmione Clark of the St. Gabriel Police Department in Louisiana told the Ames Tribune.
Clark said Greulich has no connection to the woman in Louisiana, and how he allegedly laundered the money is still under investigation.
Charges were filed on April 3 by the St. Gabriel Police Department of Louisiana. Greulich was arrested in Story County on April 26.
Greulich is accused of stealing more than $25,000, identity theft, access device fraud, monetary instrument abuse, bank fraud and money laundering.
‘Santa Ames’ fights extradition to Louisiana
Greulich has not agreed to waive extradition while Story County awaits a governor’s warrant from Louisiana, Story County Attorney Timothy Meals told the Ames Tribune.
Greulich wrote a letter to the court, filed on April 28, claiming he’s never been to Louisiana and doesn’t know anyone there.
He wrote another letter, dated May 4, stating that his lawyer wouldn’t respond to him, and filed a motion for new counsel on May 5. He is now represented by Logan Kelleher, according to court documents.
Greulich has been ‘Santa’ for more than 20 years
Greulich has lived in Ames since 1980, and according to the Santa Ames website, has been playing the role of Santa for more than 20 years across central Iowa. He said he was inspired by his father, who “put on the suit for 32 years.”
Greulich’s first appearance as Santa was 23 years ago at a K-Mart, according to a Des Moines Register Article in December 2020.
“I said to myself, I want to do this the rest of my life. And as they say in movies, the rest is history,” Greulich said about the experience on his website.
David Greulich plays Santa at area events
Greulich has provided Santa services for family visits, corporate events, community events, schools and nursing homes, according to his website, Santaames.com.
The Des Moines Register reported he also appeared as Santa in his front yard, asking families to bring canned goods for him to donated to Food at First. In 2020, he estimated he had donated more than two tons of food during his time as Santa.
Greulich’s website notes that he has provided services for a number of high-profile Ames and central Iowa businesses.
He is “fully background-checked and insured and arrives prepared for whatever format families prefer, from surprise gift deliveries to calm story time by the tree to photo sessions for entire extended families,” according to his website.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: ‘Santa Ames’ accused of stealing more than $25k from Louisiana woman
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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