A Gardena man accused of shining a high-powered green laser at a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter during a street takeover has been charged with three felony counts.
Brian David Gutierrez, 28, has pleaded not guilty to one count of discharge of a laser at an aircraft and two counts of assault on a peace officer, along with an allegation that he was out on bail or his own recognizance at the time in connection with a case in which he is charged with receiving stolen property, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Gutierrez has remained behind bars since he was arrested about 12:50 a.m. Saturday by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division, jail records show.
Officers from the Central Traffic Division’s Street Racing Task Force responded at about 12:25 a.m. that day to Alondra Boulevard and Vermont Avenue and found about 50 vehicles blocking the intersection, with numerous pedestrians standing in the road watching the takeover, according to the LAPD.
During the street takeover, a suspect later identified as Gutierrez allegedly pointed a high-powered laser at an LAPD helicopter, whose pilot and tactical flight officer took immediate action to avoid the laser strikes while maintaining visual contact with the suspects location, according to the LAPD.
He was allegedly seen fleeing the area and entering the backyard of a residence in the 15800 block of Berendo Avenue in Gardena, police said.
“Additional units from the Street Racing Task Force responded to the location. A search of the property led to the discovery of Gutierrez hiding in a detached structure, where he was taken into custody without incident,” according to a police statement.
Gutierrez was “positively identified” by the LAPD airship’s tactical flight officer, according to the statement.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said in the statement that aiming a laser at an aircraft is dangerous because it can blind the pilot, putting the lives of officers and the public at risk.
“While pointing a laser at a helicopter may seem harmless, the actions of this individual are both illegal and dangerous,” McDonnell said. “The quick response of the Street Racing Task Force and our Air Support Division ensured the safety of our team, the public and led to the successful apprehension of the suspect.”
Gutierrez is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Feb. 26.