George
Munoz Arrested Discharged Laser at
40-King 1 During
Street Takeover
The San Bernardino County Sheriff Department reminds
the public that
pointing any kind of
laser at an aircraft, while in motion/flight, can seriously
hinder the pilot's
and/or a crew member’s ability to safely control the aircraft.
Thursday, January 6,
2022, 10:00 P.M., the San Bernardino County Sheriff Helicopter 40-King 1,
piloted by Deputy D. Negron and Tactical Flight Officer C. Korkotsakis, was on
patrol over the City of San Bernardino. While on patrol, the 40-King 1 Crew
assisted the San Bernardino Police with multiple
vehicles street-racing in the area of Orange Show Road and Lena Road.
The helicopter crew
located several vehicles racing, numerous bystanders and vehicles blocking the
road, also known as a street takeover. While overhead, the 40-King
1 Crew relayed this information to responding units and was struck multiple
times by a purple laser.
Using the helicopter's forward looking infrared (FLIR), the 40-King
1 Crew was able to locate 19-year old, of Ontario,
California George Munoz on the ground pointing the laser at them.
Munoz pointed the laser several times at the crew and then attempted to flee in
a vehicle.
The 40-King 1 Crew
followed Munoz and guided ground units to him where he was detained by San
Bernardino Police Officers. During a search of the vehicle, Police Officers located the laser Munoz used to point at the helicopter.
George Munoz was arrested and transported to
Central Detention Center for violation of PC247.5.
It is a Felony and Federal Offense to aim/target Any Aircraft!
SHANNON D. DICUS,
Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
SBSD - Headquarters
655 East 3rd Street
San Bernardino, CA 92408
