Credit: Submitted
What’s a Santa without a jolly-looking suit?
Rob Piazza, a Bristol Borough resident who has dressed up as Kris Kringle every year for the past quarter century, is mourning the loss of the Santa suit that has brought joy to thousands of kids. Much to his dismay, the suit and several related items were stolen from his vehicle recently.
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The suit is unique, Piazza said. It is made up of a red velvet coat with snow white fur around the cuffs, collar, and the bottom; red velvet pants; and a row of fancy brass buttons down the front. There is also a pair of knee-length black leather Santa boots with fur around the top, a red velvet suit vest with gold buttons down the front, a leather belt with holly leaves in rows and a gold buckle, a pair of glasses, white gloves, a necklace with a large key, and a gold-colored ring with a stylized “S” for Santa, of course.
Piazza recently was running errands in Bristol Borough and Tullytown Borough after recording scenes for a virtual Christmas celebration for Pennsbury Manor. In his trunk was the plastic tub with his suit and accessories.
“I had it in the car and everything was fine,” he recalled.
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With the suit in the trunk, Piazza went inside his home on New Buckley Street. A few hours later, around 11 p.m., he went outside to take his trash out and bring in his prized suit.
As he opened his trunk and lifted the tub, he noticed it was lighter than usual. His heart sank and he realized everything was gone. The suit and the accessories.
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“They even took the peppermints,” the 52-year-old Santa said.
“I’m glad Santa wasn’t around because I said the f-word.”
Piazza, a disabled veteran who grows his beard out and bleaches it every holiday season to look the part, said he has been devastated since the suit was taken.
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“It definitely took the wind out of my holiday sails,” he told LevittownNow.com.
Over the years, Piazza has worked to build up his suit and accessories. He estimates that the suit is valued over $1,000.
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“I’ve collected a good professional suit over the years,” he said. “I saved up for that and was very excited to get it.”
Bristol Borough police Chief Steve Henry said the department took the report of the theft. He said investigators suspect the theft may have taken place at a location that was not at Piazza’s home.
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While Piazza does have a second Santa suit, he noted that it has some rips, is older, and is a more generic style. He also said it’s a bit tight on him.
“Age and Santa cookies have caught up with me a little,” he said with a jolly chuckle.
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Piazza explained that he’s not a man of great means, but he gives back by volunteering to visit low-income families dressed as Santa and even sicks kids while donning a superhero costume.
Since he started dressing as Santa in 1995, Piazza keeps every letter from grateful kids in a box at his home. Many of the letters are from low-income families who couldn’t afford a visit to a Santa at the mall or local business.
“Everybody needs a photo with Santa. It’s not to get rich and I’m not a rich guy, but I was expecting with everything happening this year to bring some cheer,” he said.
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“I like to think positive that maybe whoever took it is spreading some sort of cheer as Santa,” Piazza said, adding he does worry that whoever has it may be scamming people or attempting to lure kids.
Piazza said he just hopes his beloved suit doesn’t end up in the dump.
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“I wouldn’t press charges or anything if it just showed up or someone let me know where I can get it back,” he said. “I just hope I get it back.”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suit can contact Piazza on his Santa Rob Facebook page.
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