An angry Grinch laid into Santa Claus with fists flying as Christmas festivities turned nasty in a Mexican city with both reportedly arrested following the row over tips
Mexico: ‘Santa Claus’ and ‘Grinch’ street performers arrested after fighting for tips
A street performer dressed as Santa Claus ended up bleeding after being punched by one dressed as the Grinch in ugly scenes during Christmas festivities which got out of hand.
Footage shows the aftermath of the clash between two people dressed up in the Christmas characters in Mexico with Santa Claus coming off worst and pictured on the floor. It is understood that the fight broke out in front of Christmas shoppers and others who had come out to see the festive displays in the city of Aguascalientes in the centre of Mexico.
The pair were among the many workers on the street looking to earn tips from passersby from their Christmas outfits and decorations. And the pair showed little festive spirit with the fight apparently over tips and who was making most money.
The video of the incident has gone viral with hundreds of thousands of views due to its surreal nature and many have commented. Alarmed passersby, many of whom were tourists, called the police and both are believed to have been arrested with the Grinch pictured as he was handcuffed and taken away.
Santa Claus, meanwhile was seen on the floor, surrounded by officers. In the video a man can be heard narrating what happened in Spanish and he said that the pair had been fighting for the best spot and the incident made it worse for others to work in the street.
“Christmas has arrived and Mr Grinch was taken away after fighting with Santa Claus who was laid out on the floor after being punched,” he said. “We are working in the street and these types of colleagues lead us to lose our licences to work, require us to have a licence or just don’t let us work.
“Why were they fighting? They were fighting for the best spot, which is here where people are taking photos. One became angry because the other was making more money. And then we had this ridiculous situation with poor old Santa Claus bleeding. This is Christmas for us.”
Among the comments one said: “The Grinch took his role very seriously,” and another agreed: “Well this is what the Grinch is about no? A complete professional.” Further similar responses included: “They were consumed by the character,” while a further enquired: “Is Christmas cancelled?”