Newton Bulldozer Theft Suspect to have Competency Related Hearing

A competency evaluation status hearing has been set for next month, in the case of a man accused of stealing a bulldozer from a Newton Construction site and driving it to Grinnell. 29 year old Preston Alexander Compo is charged with 1st Degree Theft and 1st Degree Criminal Mischief. According to Newton Police…Compo claimed he was a dirt worker for a temporary agency,  and borrowed the caterpillar bulldozer. The criminal complaint states he took the “Dozer”…owned by Sully Construction in Sully…during the overnight hours of Friday October 6th into Saturday October 7th. Compo allegedly drove it from a construction site at North 4th Avenue East and Halter Avenue…on the eastern edge of Newton…down Highway 6 to Grinnell. The bulldozer was found parked along Highway 6 in Grinnell. Newton Police say Compo is from Kellogg, but list him as homeless. His Competency Evaluation Status Hearing is set for January 16th. The criminal complaint states minor damage was done to Highway 6 due to the bulldozer being driven on it.