Santa Ana man arrested for pointing a laser at an OC Sheriff’s helicopter

Santa Ana Police Department

AdvisorySAPD Officers Arrest Suspect For Discharging Laser At An Occupied Aircraft –Sheriff’s Helicopter “Duke”

Arrested: Gustavo Valencia Lopez (38) Santa Ana

Summary: Monday, 8-21-2017, at approximately 8:37 p.m. Orange County Sheriff’s Air Support “Duke” relayed to SAPD dispatchers that a male adult was pointing a laser at the helicopter from Thornton Park, located at 1801 West Segerstrom.

The suspect was in the playground area with his two kids and wife. Duke guided officers into the location and the suspect was taken into custody without incident. A laser was found buried in the playground where Duke’s pilot first spotted the suspect.

The suspect was booked into SAPD Jail on the felony charge of Discharging Laser At An Occupied Aircraft.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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