February 22, 2024
NEWS RELEASE
RE: Burglary/Malicious Injury to Property Arrest
Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Challis man yesterday afternoon (Feb. 21st) after he had reportedly burglarized a residence and damaged property on a nearby farm. At approximately 4pm Deputies responded to a residence in the 2000 S. Block of 65th W. after the homeowner encountered a man they did not know inside. The suspect, later identified as 39 year old Michael Jon Bauchman, apparently fled the area in a vehicle after slashing the tires on a car belonging to the reporting party. A backpack with Mr. Bauchman’s identification and other items was left behind in a garage and collected as evidence.
Deputies were still on scene when dispatch received a call at approximately 5:15pm reporting a man was using a large tractor to damage property at a nearby farm in the 7000 W. block of W. Broadway. The reporting party advised the man had tried to run him over with the tractor and was damaging other farm equipment, hay, and tractors on the property. The description of the suspect and a vehicle he arrived in matched what was provided by witnesses at the residence and believed to be Mr. Bauchman.
Multiple Deputies responded to the scene, finding Bauchman still using a large tractor to damage property. After ignoring commands to stop, Deputies deployed less lethal impact rounds into the cab of the tractor to incapacitate Bauchman enough to take him into custody. Bauchman continued to physically fight with Deputies even after he was secured in handcuffs and taken to the hospital for a medical clearance.
The reporting parties and property owners did not know Mr. Bauchman previously and no connection to either location was discovered at that time. Damage to a John Deere tractor and other property at the farm is estimated to be more than $125,000.
After being cleared from the hospital, Mr. Bauchman was transported to the Bonneville County Jail and booked on Felony Charges for Burglary and Malicious Injury to Property. The investigation is still ongoing and further potential charges are pending.
