OCEAN SPRINGS, MS – Ocean Springs police have arrested a 46-year-old man accused of breaking into Ocean Springs Upper Elementary School and spending the weekend living in the attic. The suspect, identified as Jared Ian Sumrall, is being held without bond at the Jackson County Jail on charges of commercial burglary.
Deputy Chief Steven Dye of the Ocean Springs Police Department confirmed that Sumrall had been arrested for another local burglary just days before the alleged break-in. He had been released on bond when the incident at the elementary school occurred.
The break-in reportedly began on Saturday, November 9, and ended Monday morning when Sumrall left the premises, according to the Ocean Springs School District. Surveillance footage from the school helped police identify Sumrall, who was arrested on November 12 in Biloxi.
School Officials Address Safety Concerns
Trey Brennan, the school district’s communications director, assured the public that students were never in harm’s way. “They were not in any danger,” Brennan said. “We are very confident in that.”
Brennan explained that Sumrall is believed to have gained access to the school by jumping a fence and climbing through an exhaust vent on the roof, eventually reaching an attic space used for HVAC system maintenance. The vent has since been secured to prevent further breaches.
Because Sumrall stayed within a single building and avoided using doors, no security alarms were triggered during his stay. “He apparently slept in the attic and briefly walked the halls,” Brennan said.
Items Reported Missing
Police allege that Sumrall took an iPad, snacks, kinetic sand, Lego toys, and other items from a teacher’s classroom. The theft was discovered Monday morning when the teacher noticed the missing items and alerted the administration. Additional evidence, including a pair of jeans found in a school sink and clothing along with a Bible left in the attic, prompted further investigation.
Out of precaution, the school enacted a shelter-in-place order at 10:18 a.m. on Monday, restricting hallway access while police searched the campus. Brennan noted that classes continued without interruption, and the shelter-in-place lasted just over an hour.
Ongoing Investigation
Brennan emphasized that Sumrall was not present on campus during the police search. “At no point was he ever in any contact with students and staff,” he said, addressing rumors circulating on social media. “We were able to completely sweep the building and ensure that he was not on campus and was not a threat.”
The district is conducting an inventory to confirm if any additional items are missing. They are also investigating how Sumrall managed to access the roof. Although some students were on campus for weekend activities, Brennan confirmed they were in separate buildings with locked doors and a closed gate.
A Familiar Face to Police
Deputy Chief Dye described Sumrall as homeless and well-known to local law enforcement. The week before the school break-in, Sumrall had been arrested for allegedly burglarizing Empowered Pathways, a behavioral therapy service in Ocean Springs. Police are still determining whether Sumrall has any prior convictions.
If convicted of the burglary at the school, Sumrall could face up to seven years in prison. The Ocean Springs Police Department and the Ocean Springs School District Police Department continue to investigate.
