The Region - News from April 1, 1987

A transient armed with a 14-pound steel bar methodically demolished a Santa Monica police car while an officer who had stepped out of the vehicle watched and waited for reinforcements. Police Lt. Jim Dawson said Officer Greg Breceda did not feel that he or other people were threatened, and so took no direct action to stop suspect Jerry Downs, whom he had stopped for questioning in a burglary complaint. He waited for Sgt. Greg Slaughter to arrive with a Taser electric stun gun. But when Downs, 34, “raised the rod to strike the sergeant, he was (hit with the Taser gun) and subdued,” Dawson said. Downs was booked at the Santa Monica Jail on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon and malicious mischief. Bail was set at $3,000.