[Lone Gunman]

Note to all who read this. The lone gunman referred to in this story was not, and I repeat, was not me.


Christmas Grinch Gets Caught in Chimney

Santa's not gonna be sliding down this chimney come Christmas Eve!

Firemen didn't have to rescue the Grinch from the chimneys of Whoville — but Jeremy Brownrigg needed them to yank him out of the pipe atop the J&E Barbecue in Skiatook, Okla., after a Christmas crime attempt went wild, according to local KTUL NewsChannel 8.

"It's almost impossible to tell the story without laughing," Skiatook Fire Captain Bob Nail told NewsChannel 8.

The barbecue Grinch was stuck in the restaurant's chimney for over eight hours, rescuers said.

"They said the neighbor heard someone hollering 'help me, help me' in the chimney," restaurant owner Eddie Hamlin told NewsChannel 8.

Firefighters said they'd never seen a holiday save quite like Brownrigg's.

"He had lowered himself down, his hands were over his head, so the three of us reached down and pulled him up," Rick Postier told the news channel. "So, sheer physical force, it was pretty greasy. He slid through the pipe."

The barbecue Grinch allegedly told police a lone gunman had made him shimmy down the vent pipe and open the front door for him — after rescuers had finally popped him out.

Needless to say, the authorities were dubious, and Brownrigg faces charges of attempted burglary.

But there may be a little holiday forgiveness for the BBQ Grinch. Hamlin said he's spoken over the phone with Brownrigg and may want the complaint dismissed.

"I want to visit with him in person," Hamlin told NewsChannel 8. "And, you know it's Christmas and I think he's a very good kid. He was just drinking and did something he regrets."

Hamlin said he's had some good laughs over the stunt with his pals — and has even mulled turning the incident into a promotional idea.

"We're thinking about making T-shirts that say 'What people won't do for J&E Barbecue,'" Hamlin told the news channel.