Big Bear Lake, CA, March 22, 2012, 5:00pm – According to a news release from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at approximately 4:40 a.m., deputies responded to a call of a stranded motorist at the Big Bear Dam. The vehicle was parked on the bridge with a male occupant inside the car who was later identified as Gary Payne, a 44-year-old resident of Big Bear Lake. During contact between Payne and the deputy, Payne attempted to reach for something in the ashtray of the vehicle. Payne was not compliant with the deputy’s instructions to step out of the vehicle and a struggle ensued. Payne became combative with the deputy, kicking the deputy in the face before exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot, jumping over the west side of the bridge into a snow embankment and tumbling to the bottom of the ravine. The deputy climbed down the side of the mountain to the bottom of the ravine where Payne continued to be non-compliant and was tasered by the deputy. Payne was then taken into custody without further incident and was transported to Bear Valley Community Hospital and treated for moderate injuries from the fall. The deputy who was assaulted by Payne received minor injuries. Suspect Gary Payne was booked into the Big Bear Jail on felony charges of battery on a peace officer and remains in custody on $50,000 bail. An arraignment hearing in this matter is set for Friday, March 23, 2012 at the San Bernardino County Superior Court.
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