Man arrested for allegedly shining laser at LAPD helicopter

Los Angeles police arrested a man on suspicion of shining a laser at their helicopter during a street takeover in Paramount over the weekend. 

It happened a little before 12:30 a.m. when officers with the department's Street Racing Task Force were dispatched to Alondra Boulevard and Vermont Avenue for reports of nearly 50 cars that were blocking the intersection, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. They say that along with the cars there were dozens of civilians in the road watching the cars perform driving stunts. 

When the LAPD helicopter arrived overhead, a suspect allegedly shone a "high-powered green laser" towards the aircraft, the statement said. After doing so, police say the man ran into the backyard of a home in the 15800 block of Berendo Avenue in Gardena. 

Additional units arrived to assist with the search, which led to the location of 27-year-old Brian Gutierrez. He was taken into custody without further incident, police said. 

"While pointing a laser at a helicopter may seem harmless, the actions of this individual are both illegal and dangerous," said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell in a statement. 

Gutierrez was booked on suspicion of aiming a laser at an aircraft. Police said he also had an active no-bail warrant and they recovered a black laser pointer during his arrest. 

Anyone who may know more is asked to contact LAPD's Major Crimes Division at (213) 486-7280.