Man arrested after alleged chain of attempted carjackings and home break-in
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IDAHO FALLS – A 31-year-old man was charged with burglary after he reportedly tried to break into multiple cars and an apartment.
Jose Campos was charged with felony burglary, misdemeanor attempted unlawful entry, and misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers.
On Oct. 18, a woman called Idaho Falls Police Dispatch, saying there was a “Hispanic male that jumped into her vehicle and wouldn’t get out.”
According to court documents, police identified the man as Campos based on a description. During an interview with the woman, she said it looked like Campos was trying to start her car.
While responding to the call, officers were approached by another woman who said that Campos had just knocked on the door of her apartment, and when she opened it, he “began to force his way into the apartment by pushing on the door.”
The woman was able to push the door shut but in the process, injured her wrist.
While investigating the attempted break-in, police were flagged down by a third victim, who said he was in the parking lot of the Bonneville Apartments when Campos ran up to his car window and “started banging on the window asking him for beer and money.”
According to the man, he started to get out of his car when Campos reportedly grabbed the car door and “flung it wide open.” The man was able to shut the door and lock it quickly, so Campos started walking towards North Capital Avenue, according to police reports.
Campos was eventually found at the Japanese Friendship Garden Park off of West Broadway by an Idaho Falls Police sergeant.
When the sergeant noticed Campos, he reportedly told him to stop walking, but Campos turned around and “just looked at him.”
After telling him to stop again and identifying himself as police, both in English and Spanish, Campos continued to walk away from the sergeant but was eventually detained and placed in handcuffs.
While detaining Campos, officers say they could “smell the strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.”
According to police, as Campos was being detained, he said, “I kept running looking for a car. So yes, I uh, did try to carjack one or two cars.”
Campos was then transported to the Bonneville County Jail, where he was booked on a bond of $15,000.
He is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 1. If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison.
Though Campos has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.