Crime & Safety

Trial for 'Santa Robber' Postponed

Trial has been postponed until March 18 for Bertho Gauthier, who is accused of committing nine robberies in San Diego and Orange counties—including one in which he allegedly wore a Santa hat while holding up a La Mesa liquor store. 

Gauthier allegedly pulled a handgun on a clerk at the business in the 5300 block of Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa and demanded cash from the register, according to police.

After the victim handed over an undisclosed amount of money, the bandit left the shop and fled the area to the north in a dark-gray Mazda 6, according to reports.

An officer responding to the robbery spotted the car in the 5000 block of Baltimore Drive, pulled it over and arrested Gauthier. The stolen cash and a pistol were recovered from the sedan, police said.

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