A suspect fleeing police became stuck in a chimney just like Santa Claus - leading to him spending Christmas behind bars.

Robert Langlais, 33, allegedly attempted to hide when officers executed a search warrant for drug charges against him, leaving him stranded inside a vent in Fall River, Massachusetts, on December 10.

Fall River police said that Robert and another man climbed onto the roof of a Canal Street residence when they tried to evade arrest.

An officer said: 'One man escaped by jumping onto a parked car and fleeing over a fence, but Langlais chose to hide inside the chimney.'

Bodycam footage shows officers approaching the chimney and ordering the suspect to show his hands.

Upon realising that Langlais was trapped, authorities called emergency services to free him.

Firefighters and EMS crews arrived at the scene and successfully removed him from the narrow space.

Langlais was taken to a hospital for evaluation, medically cleared, and then arrested on drug possession charges as well as outstanding warrant charges. He was remanded in custody.

Police also arrested 32-year-old Tanisha Ibay on drug charges.

Santa Claus, or Saint Nick, is depicted in folklore as sliding down chimneys on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to children who have been well-behaved that year.

Nicked is a term used describe someone being arrested.