A Michigan man accused of breaking into and vandalizing the Porter County Courthouse during the summer has been found competent to stand trial.

Acting Judge Mike Pagano, a magistrate from Lake County, made that ruling Thursday for Kristopher N. Newcomb, 26, of Battle Creek, Mich., based on the reports of two doctors.

Pagano was appointed to judge the case to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Both doctors ruled that Newcomb was able to understand what was going on and able to assist in his defense, according to reports presented during Thursday's hearing.

Pagano also set Jan. 12 as an omnibus hearing for Newcomb, but the acting judge didn't set a trial date.

Newcomb is charged with level 5 felony burglary, class A misdemeanor theft and class A misdemeanor criminal mischief.

He faces up to six years in prison on the felony charge and up to a year on each misdemeanor.

The alleged incident occurred July 20, when an apparent unsuccessful attempt to break the glass door of the south entrance led to Newcomb throwing a landscape stone through a ground floor window, according to the charging documents.

The probable cause affidavit states that Newcomb “trashed” several offices on all five floors of the courthouse; destroyed computers, equipment and office door windows; and broke into vending machines to steal food.

Officers arriving at 5:38 a.m. reported that they found Newcomb lying in the first floor rotunda “surrounded by food wrappers and candy,” and they discovered blood throughout the courthouse from a cut Newcomb suffered on his arm, court documents state.

Police reported that courthouse security cameras caught Newcomb's actions, and estimates place the damage and theft at $10,750, according to court documents.

James D. Wolf Jr. is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.