Intoxicated man arrested after allegedly beating up roommate
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IDAHO FALLS — Officers responded to a residence after neighbors heard a man screaming for help, resulting in the arrest of a drunken man who allegedly assaulted his roommate.
According to court documents, Idaho Falls Police Department officers arrived at a residence in the 200 block of Croft Drive and found the roommate outside in distress.
Officers spoke with the roommate and were shown a large bruise on his tricep area, telling officers, “Look what he did to me.”
Telling officers what had occurred before arriving, the roommate said Joel Zarraga, 41, had assaulted him after he had been drinking alcohol.
Concerned for his safety, the roommate said he began recording Zarraga, but that made him agitated. Becoming aggressive, Zarraga attempted to grab the roommate’s camera.
During the struggle, the roommate said Zarraga got onto his back and placed him in a chokehold.
The document states that on the neck of the roommate, there was a laceration that was consistent with strangulation. On his body, there were also multiple abrasions.
EMS was requested to check on the roommate. Officers were told that the roommate got the injuries when he tried to maintain control of the camera and leave the residence.
After obtaining the roommate’s permission to enter the property, officers attempted to contact Zarraga. Officers called out to Zarraga, informing him that he was under arrest and to show himself, but received no response.
Learning that Zarraga’s room was upstairs, officers obtained a warrant to enter Zarraga’s room to place him in custody.
During this period, the document states Zarraga was texting 911, saying he was having an emergency.
Zarraga was placed under arrest and booked into the Bonneville County Jail. During his arrest, a fake identification was found on his person.
He faces multiple felony counts for destruction of evidence, robbery, second-degree kidnapping and aggravated battery. He also faces misdemeanor charges for resisting, malicious injury to property, an altered identification card and a false 911 call.
Though Zarraga has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty. If he is found guilty, he faces a possible punishment of up to life in prison.