NewsLocal News

Actions

Man arrested for allegedly shining strobe light at Sheriff's helicopter

Posted
and last updated

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, a man has been arrested for shining a strobe light at a KCSO helicopter on March 22.

Around 10 p.m., KCSO crew members reported someone flashing a light at the helicopter, disrupting safe operations. Someone used a high-powered flashlight with a strobe function and tracked their descent to the hangar, making it "impossible" for the crew to see, according to KCSO.

20-year-old John Howten was arrested and booked on PC 248, a charge of "shining light at an aircraft to impair operation". KCSO says it will be considering federal prosecution as well.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Monday

05/12/2025

Sunny

78° / 53°

0%

Tuesday

05/13/2025

Partly Cloudy

73° / 53°

6%

Wednesday

05/14/2025

Sunny

80° / 56°

0%

Thursday

05/15/2025

Sunny

87° / 61°

0%

Friday

05/16/2025

Partly Cloudy

88° / 61°

0%

Saturday

05/17/2025

Partly Cloudy

81° / 56°

3%

Sunday

05/18/2025

Partly Cloudy

75° / 57°

12%

Monday

05/19/2025

Sunny

83° / 61°

0%