Men Arrested for Lasering Pasadena Police Helicopter

Two men were in custody today for allegedly pointing a laser device at a Pasadena police helicopter Monday night.

The incident occurred about 10:10 p.m. Monday near the 600 block of South Electric Avenue in Alhambra, said Alhambra police Sgt. Jerry Johnson.

Alhambra police officers, assisted by a Pasadena police helicopter crew, had been sent to a nearby a business on West Main Street after a burglar alarm was set off, Johnson said.

“While the helicopter was in the area, a suspect pointed a laser light at the helicopter several times,” he said. “The helicopter pilot and his onboard observer directed Alhambra Police Department ground units to the 600 block of South Electric Avenue.”

The two men were arrested in the back yard of a home, and a search of the area turned up a laser pointer, along with drug paraphernalia and alleged evidence of credit card fraud, Johnson said. Police do not believe the men were
involved in the burglary case.

Joel Reyna, 30, and Aram Yashu, 32, were booked on suspicion of obstructing an aircraft, as well as various drug and fraud violations. Bail was set at $25,000 for Reyna and $150,000 for Yashu, according to the sheriff’s department.