BLOOMINGTON, MN — With Thanksgiving nearly here, local man Chad Erickson was reportedly eager to get back to his true passion as a mall Santa Claus and has already begun preparing for the gig by cutting off his ankle monitor.

"Can't let the kids see this," Erickson said as he took a pair of scissors to the strap around his ankle. "Nothing is going to stop me from making it to my shift as a mall Santa. I made a commitment, parole violation or no parole violation."

According to law enforcement sources, Erickson was placed on house arrest following two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol pending a trial to determine if he should face prison time. But Erickson had sworn that no threat of reincarceration would keep him from spreading goodwill and cheer to little boys and girls.

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