Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

The peacefulness of Christmas was interrupted for many this year. Deputies in Kanawha County say there was a spike in burglaries and other crimes on the holiday, including the home invasion of an elderly woman. The 71-year-old woman was home, asleep, when police say a husband and wife broke into her house and it was all caught on camera.

Police say the couple were using a motel room at the Budget Host Inn outside of Charleston as their home base. Surveillance video from the motel allegedly captures Thomas Hager, Jr. and his wife as they walked back and forth from their room and into the elderly woman's home next door. Police say they made the trip several times, with stolen goods, all while she hid in her bathroom. It happened around 2am Wednesday. Deputies say the woman managed to call police but not before the intruders kicked in her bathroom door, knocking her down. She was not seriously hurt.

Deputies say they arrived right as Hager was coming out the front door of the woman's home. Investigators say he ran, fell and then kicked the officer in the face, but was eventually arrested. His wife is now also in custody. Police say they found stolen property in the couple's room, not only from the home invasion but from other thefts both in and outside of Kanawha County. They are continuing the investigation.

Hager is charged with night-time burglary and assault during the commission of a felony. Charges against his wife are pending.

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A husband and wife are under arrest after a home invasion that sent an elderly woman to the hospital.

It happened at a house along Kanawha Boulevard beside the Budget Inn near Campbells Creek. Police said Thomas Hager Jr. busted into this home about 2 a.m. Wednesday while a 71-year-old woman was inside sleeping. She heard the invasion and locked herself in the bathroom while she called 911.

Police said Hager hit the bathroom door and knocked her over, injuring her. He was arrested after being spotted coming out of the house, police said.

Later Wednesday morning, Hager’s wife was arrested. Police said Hager and his wife were staying in a room at the Budget Inn, and authorities found stolen items inside. She was taken into custody without any issues, but police said her husband tried to run overnight.

Hager is charged with burglary and assault during the commission of a felony. No word on what charges his wife will face. Deputies said there have been several home burglaries, break-ins and thefts during the holiday season and urge you to keep an eye on the homes in your neighborhood.

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Kanawha County sheriff’s deputies said a Charleston man was arrested early Wednesday morning after he allegedly burst into a home he intended to burglarize and assaulted a 71-year-old woman.

Thomas Alvin Hager Jr., 41, was charged with nighttime burglary and assault during commission of a felony after an incident that occurred about 2 a.m. at 3311 Kanawha Blvd. E., according to a news release from the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy J.A. Ferrell responded to a burglary in progress call at the Kanawha Boulevard resident and found the glass in the front door of the home broken. He requested Metro 911 instruct the elderly victim to stay locked inside a room for her safety. As he was doing so, the suspect, who was wearing dark clothing, a black toboggan and gloves, walked out the front door. He saw the deputy and began to flee. Ferrell pursued the suspect who fell traveling through a brushy area. As the deputy attempted to handcuff the suspect, Hager allegedly kicked him in the mouth/face, the release said. The release said Ferrell, however, was able to handcuff Hager and walk him back to his patrol car.

Before police arrived, the release said, Hager allegedly assaulted the elderly victim as he busted open an interior door where the woman was hiding for her safety. She received minor injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Deputies were able to recover stolen items found outside the residence.

Hager was transported to the South Central Regional Jail where he will await arraignment.

Meanwhile, deputies advised residents to use caution as area thefts were continuing during the holiday period. They responded to three home burglaries, three breaking and enterings and two miscellaneous thefts inside of a 2- hour period. Capt. Sean Crosier with the sheriff’s office urged residents to watch neighbor’s homes while they may be away shopping, working or visiting.

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