Man Takes Bat To Red Light Cameras, Assaults Deputy In Encinitas

ENCINITAS, CA – A man who was hitting red light cameras in Encinitas with a baseball bat Saturday attacked a San Diego County sheriff's deputy who tried to stop him, authorities said.

The incident began at 2:36 p.m. at the intersection of North El Camino Real and Encinitas Boulevard, sheriff's Sgt. Agustin Rosas said.

The sheriff's department received several reports of a man on a ladder hitting the red light cameras with a baseball bat and a deputy on patrol at the time saw the suspect hitting the camera, Rosas said.

The deputy ordered the man to stop and drop the baseball bat and the suspect refused, the sergeant said.

"The deputy attempted to incapacitate the suspect with his department- issued Taser Conducted Energy Device but it malfunctioned," Rosas said.

The suspect then swung the bat at the deputy several times and the deputy hit the suspect with his baton, he said.

After a short foot pursuit, the suspect attacked the deputy and a fight ensued, Rosas said. Other deputies were able to handcuff the suspect and he was taken to Scripps La Jolla for treatment before he was booked into the Vista Detention Facility, he said. The deputy suffered multiple fractures and was taken to Scripps Encinitas for treatment.

The suspect, identified as Frederick Gramcko, 53, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer, Rosas said.

By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock