City police dog finds man who broke into North Side church

YOUNGSTOWN — A police dog found a man who broke into a North Side church early Thursday morning.

Police were called to St Andrews African Methodist Episcopal Church, 117 E. Rayen Ave., at about 12:20 a.m., reports said.

Officer Jessica Shields and her dog Hector arrived along with officers George Anderson and Jeffrey Savnik after a person called 911 and said there was a person at the church with a flashlight removing windows from the church.

Reports said Anderson and Savnik went inside through the front door, which was pried open, and found a pry bar, copper wire, a hammer and a propane tank.

Reports said Shields went in and announced that she was sending in the dog and got no response. The dog searched the downstairs and found no one.

Shields then had Hector go to the basement. The dog eventually found a man later identified as Robert Hanni, 28.

Reports said the dog jumped on a table and tried to apprehend Hanni but Hanni yelled and asked officers to call off the dog.

Police found a flashlight and other tools where Hanni was hiding, reports said

Reports said Hanni was taken to the Mahoning County jail on charges of possessing criminal tools and breaking and entering.