Woman, 19, Arrested For Pointing Laser At Helicopter

HESPERIA (CBSLA.com) — A 19-year-old San Bernardino County woman has been arrested for pointing a laser at an aircraft, officials said Tuesday.

Jenny Gutierrez was arrested on Feb. 27 around 10:50 p.m., sheriff's officials said.

A sheriff's patrol helicopter was flying over the 15 Freeway in Hesperia when it was struck multiple times with a laser coming from a movie vehicle.

"Both the pilot and flight officer were temporarily blinded by the laser beam," authorities said.

The helicopter crew followed the car and directed deputies to its location.

"Deputies quickly identified a female passenger in the vehicle as being involved with the incident.  They also located the green laser which was used to target the helicopter," said officials.

Gutierrez was arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center. If convicted, she faces more than $260,000 in fines and up to five years in federal prison.