IF man booked for theft after attempted escape

Bonneville County deputies caught a would-be motorcycle thief hiding in some water near the bottom of a canal bed early Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office said they were called to the 4600 block of McCowin Lane at around 4:15 a.m. A resident reported someone was attempting to steal a motorcycle from a building. Deputies located a vehicle parked near the property that had been stolen in the Burley area. A quick search of the area found Thomas Wirth,42, of Idaho Falls hiding in the canal.

Because Wirth appeared to be suffering from symptoms of hypothermia, he was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Wirth was formally cleared for release from the hospital and placed in handcuffs and leg irons and secured to a patrol car. While the transporting deputy was returning a wheel chair to to the building, Wirth kicked out the patrol car’s side window and escaped.

An alert notification was sent to nearby homeowners while multiple deputies and Idaho Falls Police officers searched for the man. Wirth was found hiding inside another vehicle, but resisted efforts to take him back into custody. A Taser was deployed during that confrontation, which allowed officers to subdue Wirth and secure him in a patrol car.

Wirth was booked into the Bonneville County jail on charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools, and possession of stolen property. Those charges were related to the theft of motorcycle and stolen vehicle. He was also charged with felony escape, vehicle burglary, and misdemeanor resisting and obstructing in connection with his attempted escape at the hospital.