Newton Falls man jailed in numerous break-ins

All of the break-ins combined netted less than $200 for the thief, the police chief said.

staff report

NORTH JACKSON — A Trumbull County man charged with breaking into a current and former school and several businesses this week was lodged in Mahoning County jail pending his Monday arraignment in Mahoning County Area Court in Austintown.

Daniel Hiles, 55, of Newton Falls, was charged with seven counts of breaking and entering after police said they apprehended him in a foot pursuit in a field as he fled from the last of the break-ins at the former Jackson-Milton High School building.

Jackson Township Police Chief Kenneth P. Frost said Hiles confessed a 2 a.m. Monday break-in at Jackson-Milton Elementary School in Milton Township, where he took less than $100 from the school office, and to break-ins or attempted break-ins at six Mahoning Avenue locations in Jackson Township between 2 and 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Hiles was arrested after a maintenance employee saw him in the former high school and notified a deputy sheriff, who called township police.

In the locations he entered, Hiles broke in through a door or window and looked for cash, Frost said. All of the break-ins combined netted him less than $200, Frost said. In some cases, he broke security cameras and lights, Frost added.

Hiles tried to enter St. James Catholic Church, but the audible alarm scared him off before he could get in, Frost said.

Frost said he participated in the apprehension, along with Sgt. Rick Snyder and Officer Steve Schneider of the township police and Deputy Greg Taillon.

Hiles told police he was released from prison in August after serving time for breaking and entering.