Man arrested in Idaho Falls break-ins misidentified

The man caught breaking into houses and garages on Whittier on Thursday night was misidentified, Idaho Falls police said.

A resident called police around after seeing Damien Rhodes, 37, of Rigby, going into his house and another house around 9 p.m. on the 600 block of Whittier, police said. Officers found Rhodes around 10:30 p.m. after they learned of another burglary and disturbance on the 700 block of Whittier.

Victims said they saw Rhodes enter garages and houses.

He was arrested on charges of burglary and vehicle burglary, as well as disturbing the peace and public nuisance. Police said he had beverages and garage door openers taken from vehicles and garages.

He was booked into the Bonneville County Jail.

Rhodes was carrying the wallet of another man who had lost it a month ago but had never reported it. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said Rhodes was using the wallet owner’s identification, and Idaho Falls police sent out a news release on the break-ins Friday morning with the second man’s name and picture from a previous, unrelated arrest.

Rhodes revealed his actual name when he was arraigned in court Friday, police said.

A correction was sent to media in the afternoon.