Witnesses say a man threw a woman on the ground and began choking her
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IDAHO FALLS — A homeless man is in jail after he choked a woman and threw a phone into the river, say police.
Police say they were called to South Tourist Park for a physical domestic disturbance around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Witnesses told police a man later identified as David J. Ellender, 49, threw a 40‐year‐old woman on the ground and began to choke her.
One witness helped the victim free herself from Ellender, say police. The witness then called police and gave the phone to the victim to speak with dispatch.
Witnesses say Ellender grabbed the phone and threw it into the river.
Idaho Falls police arrived at the park and arrested Ellender for felony attempted strangulation, and misdemeanors of interfering with a 911 call, petty theft, malicious injury to property and disturbing the peace.
Ellender was booked into the Bonneville County Jail. As of Wednesday morning Ellender was held with no bail.