Full Notification

On Tuesday night at about 10:47 p.m., a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter requested the assistance of Pico Rivera Station ground units to contact the occupants of a vehicle regarding a laser being pointed at their aircraft near the Interstate 5 and Rosemead Boulevard. Deputies from Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station responded and located the vehicle traveling south on the 605 freeway. A traffic stop was conducted and the occupants were detained. A 16 year old passenger was identified by the aero unit personnel as the subject who pointed the laser at the aircraft. A green laser pen light was found in the subject’s possession. The subject admitted that he shined the light at the helicopter as it was flying overhead. The subject was subsequently arrested and transported to Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station. No injuries were reported by either the pilot or the observer.

The Sheriff’s Department would like to remind the public that pointing a laser at an aircraft is extremely dangerous to the occupants of the aircraft and persons on the ground. The crime is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine up to $2,000.