Alleged Christmas Eve burglar caught in the act

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee(WDEF) – Entering strangers homes on Christmas Eve is usually something reserved for Santa Clause, but old Saint Nick wasn’t the one caught illegally breaking into a mans house.

Darren Jump, 41, of Ooltewah is now facing one count of burglary, criminal impersonation and theft after police say he was caught breaking into a home in the 7000 block of White Oak Valley Circle.

According to the arrest affidavit, police were called to a White Oak Valley Circle residence in reference to a home invasion. The caller told dispatch that a man was trying to break into his home through the garage.

The home owner reportedly grabbed his handgun and confronted Jump. Jump reportedly came toward the home owner and that when the home owner pulled his gun on him. Jump reportedly fled the scene but the home owner chased him on foot to a nearby barn.

Collegedale police arrived on scene and immediately took Jump into custody.

Right before Jump was transported to the Hamilton County jail, police dispatch received a call about a suspicious vehicle in the middle of a field located near the barn where Jump was arrested. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Collegedale and the keys to the vehicle were reportedly in Jump’s possession.

Court records show that Jump has prior multiple felony convictions for theft and burglary.

Jump’s bond was set at $25,000 and his next court date is January 6.