Man accused of raping 74-year-old woman as she slept, authorities say

A 30-year-old man was arrested Monday on suspicion of attacking and raping a 74-year-old woman as she slept in her home, authorities said.

James Hiles was taken into custody on suspicion of rape after DNA linked him to two pieces of evidence collected at the woman’s home in Mentone, said Det. Kevin Allen of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The Mentone resident remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Hiles’ arrest comes weeks after the attack was reported to authorities. According to Allen, a man broke into the woman’s home on the night of Jan. 16 while she slept.

She awoke to find a man on top of her and choking her, he said.

The victim struggled and fought during the sexual assault, the detective said. When her home’s alarm system sounded off, the man ran away, authorities said.

The woman is recovering from the attack and “is doing OK,” Allen said.

Detectives are looking for other possible victims and have reached out to other law enforcement agencies with details about what Hiles did and said during the attack, he said.

Allen declined to provide details on Hiles’ modus operandi.

Three days before the attack, on Jan. 13, Hiles was convicted of felony assault and sentenced to three years’ formal probation, according to San Bernardino County Superior Court records.

Hiles has a long criminal history, including convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol, stalking and voluntary manslaughter.

In the voluntary manslaughter conviction, he was sentenced to five years in state prison in 2010.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA

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