CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A man dressed as a Christmas elf who told a mall Santa Claus he was carrying a bomb Wednesday night has been banned from Southlake Mall, according to Morrow police.

Captain James P. Callaway of the Morrow Police Department said William Caldwell III has been banned from the mall for 50 years after his threat forced the evacuation of the shopping center.

Police said Caldwell stood in line with kids to meet and take a picture with Santa.

---

SLIDESHOW: Police Display Elf Suit

---

“At that point he told Santa he had dynamite in his bag and (he) said that two times to Santa Claus,” Callaway said.

Shortly after that police evacuated the mall packed with holiday shoppers.

“Due to the fact that three suspicious bags were left on the outside area where Santa Claus was,” said Callaway.

Police said they are not sure what motivated Caldwell to threaten Santa as kids waited to deliver their Christmas list.

“There were children, families and it was a busy shopping night at the mall during the holiday shopping hours,” Callaway said. But police said the bags were harmless and found no explosives.

Caldwell is facing at least seven criminal charges including terroristic threats and reckless conduct.