A Santa Claus is being hunted by police after he stole a helicopter.

Brazilian police have launched the peculiar manhunt after a man dressed in a red and white Father Christmas outfit complete with white beard and black boots made off with a chopper.

The crafty Chris Cringle rented the aircraft on Friday from an air taxi service at the Campo Marte airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He told the pilot he wanted to take part in a Black Friday surprise but midway through the flight the Santa's cunning plot was revealed.

The festive thief forced the pilot to fly to a small farm outside of Sao Paulo city and land.

As the chopper came down a third man arrived and he and the Santa Claus impersonator tied up the pilot.

The dastardly duo then got back in the helicopter and flew off.

After a few hours, pilot was able to escape and managed to alert police who immediately launched an investigation.

There has been no sign of the helicopter, a Robinson model 44, the sneaky Santa or his little helper.