Idaho Man Tricked Into Surrendering After Dragging Girlfriend Near Alta

Up to 10 years in prison is the maximum sentence Yair Guarneros faces after Teton County deputies lured him back to a crash scene near Alta using a set of missing car keys.

Guarneros, born in 2005, appeared in court on Monday for his first hearing. He is accused of felony aggravated assault, domestic battery, and failure to stop for an accident with damages. The incident occurred on Saturday evening near the trailhead on Fox Creek Canyon Road. Guarneros, who lives in Idaho Falls, has been dating the victim for four years.

The pair arrived at the trailhead in separate vehicles and began arguing, according to an affidavit of probable cause written by Deputy Kevin Espinoza. The affidavit does not specify the cause of the dispute. The argument turned physical when Guarneros attempted to drive away while his girlfriend blocked the driver’s side door.

Espinoza wrote that Guarneros put the vehicle in drive, pinning the woman between the closing door and the car. Instead of stopping, he continued driving while punching her through the open window. The affidavit states that she fell forward and was dragged by the vehicle while he held onto her. After releasing her, he backed his car into her as she tried to reach her own vehicle.

Deputies arrived at the scene at approximately 7:52 p.m. They spoke with the woman and observed injuries consistent with her account. Her clothing was covered in dirt, matching the description of being dragged. Espinoza noted that skid marks indicated Guarneros had accelerated in reverse directly at the victim.

The woman told deputies she believed her keys had fallen into Guarneros’ car during the incident. Espinoza used this detail to set a trap. He instructed the woman to call Guarneros and ask him to return the keys without revealing that police had been called. Guarneros initially denied having the keys but later found them and agreed to bring them back.

At approximately 10 p.m., Guarneros returned to the scene and placed the keys on top of the victim’s vehicle. He did not know deputies were waiting for him. He was taken into custody on a $10,000 cash or surety bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 in Teton County Circuit Court.