Suspect in break-in to undergo evaluation

By Elise Franco

YOUNGSTOWN — The Newton Falls man charged with breaking into Jackson Milton Elementary School in October will undergo a competency evaluation.

Daniel L. Hiles, 55, of 2724 E. River Road, appeared Monday in front of Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in Youngstown on charges of safecracking and breaking and entering.

Hiles attorney, Terry Grenga, moved for a competency evaluation to determine whether Hiles is able to stand trial, according to court records.

J. Michael Thompson, an assistant county prosecutor, said Grenga asked for the evaluation because of Hiles’ responses when talking with her.

“She didn’t even feel confident that he knew what was going on,” Thompson said. “I didn’t object to it. ... He’s being held without bond.”

In addition, Thompson said the crimes themselves didn’t make much sense because Hiles had just gotten out of prison a few months before and began breaking into the buildings because he said he didn’t want to live at his parents’ house.

Milton Detective Sgt. Jeff Lewis said that when police picked up Hiles on Oct. 29, he was wearing the same clothes he had on in a surveillance video from the elementary school break-in Oct. 26.

The results of the evaluation will be heard in court within 30 days, and all criminal proceedings were postponed until then.

Thompson said if Hiles is found incompetent for trial, he’ll argue that Hiles should be committed to a mental-health facility.

Hiles was arrested Oct. 29 by Milton Township police, several days after Lewis said he broke into the school.

Lewis said Hiles did more than $5,800 in damage to the building during the burglary.

He is also charged with possession of criminal tools and vandalism. Lewis said Hiles also is charged in five other break-ins in Jackson Township that occurred around the same time as the elementary school break-in.

Hiles is in Mahoning County jail.

efranco@vindy.com