Two wanted individuals arrested after Sunday traffic stop, foot chase near 17th and Holmes

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Two wanted individuals are behind bars following a Sunday afternoon traffic stop that escalated into a brief foot chase near a busy local intersection.

Matthew Phillips, 35, and Tamya Louise King, 28, were arrested around 3:40 p.m. in the Albertsons parking lot near 17th Street and Holmes Avenue.

According to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, the case began when a deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle, citing multiple traffic violations. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Phillips—who had been lying down in the backseat—jumped out and attempted to run away on foot, discarding a fanny pack in the process.

The deputy recognized Phillips, knowing he was wanted on multiple felony warrants and had already eluded law enforcement in a vehicle earlier that same day.

According to police, Phillips ran toward a nearby McDonald’s, ignoring the deputy's commands to stop. This forced the deputy to tase Phillips, who fell on the ground, cutting his face above the eye. After the deputy subdued him, BCSO says Phillips was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance before he was booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

During the chase, more deputies and Idaho Falls Police officers arrived to secure the scene, where they detained the male driver and a female passenger, later identified as King.

Investigators learned that King had active felony probation warrants out of both Madison and Bonneville counties. She was arrested and transported to the Bonneville County Jail.

According to a BCSO press release, King later admitted to deputies that she had used illegal drugs earlier that day and told them that Phillips had panicked when police pulled behind them, stating he "couldn’t go back to jail" as he tried to hide in the back.

After searching the scene, the deputies retrieved the fanny pack Phillips threw as he attempted to run, which contained drug paraphernalia and just over 2 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators also found a small amount of suspected methamphetamine in the back seat where Phillips had been sitting. Later, during the jail booking process, deputies found another small baggie in Phillips' pocket containing just over 1 gram of methamphetamine.

King was arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail on her outstanding warrants.

Phillips was booked on an active Bonneville County warrant for felony eluding, as well as felony warrants from the Idaho Department of Corrections and the Utah Board of Pardons. He faces new felony charges for possession of methamphetamine and destruction of evidence, alongside misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

According to court documents, Phillips has also been charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in a motor vehicle. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 1 p.m.

Deputies are continuing to investigate, and further charges related to Phillips’ actions before the traffic stop are pending.