SANTA ROLE UNCLEAR IN MAN'S DRUG ARREST

Police said Friday they didn't know whether a Bellevue man used his Santa
suit as a guise for dealing drugs or simply as his uniform for legitimate
Santa appearances.

Robert E. Rice -- a white-bearded 62-year-old who free-lances as a Santa in
the metropolitan area -- remained in the Sarpy County Jail on Friday after
a Thursday search of his apartment turned up about 3 pounds of marijuana
and a Santa suit.

Deputy Chief John Stacey said police also discovered an appointment book
containing dates of scheduled Santa appearances and names of people they
think may be Rice's marijuana customers.

At a press briefing Friday, Stacey showcased drug paraphernalia, a meat
scale, small plastic bags, a bag sealer and about $840 in small bills that
officers found at 908B Harrington Ave., and apartment Rice rented in the
basement of a Bellevue home.

"We feel that this individual has got some tenure and has got some
experience in this arena...He was able to weigh it out, measure it out,
seal it and process it for storage," Stacey said.

Stacey said the marijuana had a street value of $2,500 to $3,000.

Jail officials said Rice declined a request for comment.

Rice first was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to deliver
and taken to jail Thursday.

He was released about 9 a.m. Friday because of an error police made in
filling out the arrest affidavit. Bellevue police obtained a warrant
charging Rice with the same offences Friday morning and returning him to
the jail early Friday afternoon.

Stacey said Rice appeared to have no criminal history in the Omaha area but
that police were checking Rice's record elsewhere. He said Rice was not a
lifelong Bellevue resident.

The Santa factor aside, Stacey said the case was unusual because of the
amount of marijuana and the age of the suspect.