Man evading police tries to jump off overpass

A man was arrested after he tried to flee police by jumping off the Fremont Avenue overpass on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident began when officers responded to the Hampton Inn at 645 Lindsay Blvd. around 11:45 a.m. for a report of a theft. Dee A. Rhoades, 49, was accused of stealing an iPhone and food from the hotel.

In checking the area for Rhoades, police spotted him riding a bicycle east across the John’s Hole Bridge. He continued east across Fremont Avenue. Rhoades saw officers in the area and ran from them.

Police said they found Rhoades hiding against the north concrete edge of the overpass. As police attempted to contact him, he jumped over the guardrail onto the U.S. Highway 20 overpass. He then jumped over the side of the overpass.

Police grabbed Rhoades as he jumped. Rhoades managed to wiggle out of the grip of the officers, but then was stuck on the overpass pillar. The Idaho Falls Fire Department was called to assist in getting Rhoades down.

Rhoades, who police said was a wanted felon, was booked into the Bonneville County Jail on multiple county warrants, and charges of burglary, and resisting and obstructing officers.