Police: 'Bad Santa' stalks, threatens neighbor on Christmas Eve in Florida

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. - The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says a Florida man was arrested on Christmas Eve following more than 60 harassment calls from a neighbor.

Deputies say they responded to a call for service shortly before 9 a.m. Dec. 24 in Palatka, Florida.

The caller told officers Neil Champagne, 51, has continuously stalked him. Reports show the caller said Champagne wrote derogatory messages at the end of his driveway, threatened to harm him and yelled at him.

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Over the last two months, deputies say they have responded to the residence more than 60 times in response to the harassment. 

Champagne was arrested in a Santa Claus suit and charged with stalking, a first-degree misdemeanor, deputies say.

Officers report Champagne was taken to the Putnam County Jail and held on $2,500 bond.

Neil Champagne, 51, was arrested by deputies Christmas Eve in Putnam County. (Credit: Putnam County Sheriff's Office)

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