Suspected car thieves and three alleged shoplifters were going about their holiday season business when they were interrupted in a rather unprecedented manner.

Riverside Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit in California came up with a creative way to keep an eye on things over the Christmas period when crime typically increases in the area.

They’ve aptly called the operation “Santa’s Intervention”.

And, oh how he intervened, with the help of an elf.

ABC News reports that on Thursday last week, surveillance was set up inside the Target store in the Canyon Springs shopping mall. A few officers were stationed outside including two in festive dress.

One of them spotted a suspect trying to steal an older white Honda CR-V. When they realised that they had been ‘made’, two of the three suspects ran.

Here’s how that worked out for them:

The elf with the gun is going on all of my Christmas cards.

“One suspect resisted arrest but was taken into custody with the help of our undercover Santa, and the second was detained by the undercover elf,” police wrote on Facebook.

The third drove off in the stolen car before they could catch him. They know who he is and will be making an arrest.

The cops also managed to arrest three suspects who attempted to shoplift.

One misdemeanour arrest involved a woman who walked out of the store with a shopping cart full of stolen items. She was also found to be in possession of illegal narcotics, police said.

Image: Riverside Police Department/Facebook

Another misdemeanour arrest involved a man who had previously stolen items from the store. Loss prevention specialists and officers recognised him as he entered the store and stopped him before he could steal again.

Image: Riverside Police Department/Facebook

He was arrested for trespassing and being in possession of illegal narcotics.

The third was 55-year-old Patrick Seilsopour, who has been booked into jail for trying to make off with LEGO toy sets totalling $1 000 (upwards of R15 000).

Genius on the part of the cops.

Not the merriest of shopping days for the alleged criminals.

We can’t in good conscience without reminding you of this beaut from 2018, at Bakoven Beach:

[source:abcnews]