Former Officer Arrested in Santa Bank Heist

A former San Diego police officer was arrested after he allegedly robbed a bank dressed as Santa, police said Friday.

Rudolph Basha, a policeman for seven years before he was fired in 1994 for drug use, was being held in a federal detention center, facing charges of bank robbery.

Basha, 36, of San Diego allegedly entered a Union Bank of California branch in a Ralphs supermarket about 5:30 p.m. Thursday. He threatened the clerk and fled on foot with a bag of money, police said. No weapon was displayed.

Police said he was wearing a red Santa’s hat and fake white beard and street clothes.