Man, 18, Accused in Illegal Use of Spotlight

After allegedly shining a blinding spotlight at a police helicopter crew circling a Mission Hills neighborhood, an 18-year-old Granada Hills man became the first person to be charged under a new state law that makes such actions illegal, according to the city attorney’s office.

In connection with the incident, Randall Magdy Awad was charged Thursday with one count each of shining a light at an aircraft, interfering with a police officer and assault on a police officer, said Deputy City Atty. Jose Garza. Each count is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Awad was arrested at about 10:50 p.m. June 1 after he allegedly shone a 1.5-million candlepower spotlight at the police helicopter--momentarily blinding crew members--as it circled a residence in the 16700 block of Ludlow Street, where a raucous party was reported to be underway, police said.

The two-person helicopter crew said they soon regained their night vision and continued to circle the residence while the defendant allegedly continued to shine the light at them, said Garza, who handled the filing of the case.

The crew said they then used their own spotlight to pinpoint Awad, standing next to a sport-utility vehicle.

The crew members reported that they kept visual contact with the defendant until LAPD ground units arrived, taking him into custody and recovering a spotlight from the car.

Awad was booked at the Devonshire station, where he was released after posting $5,000 bail. Arraignment is scheduled for June 27 in San Fernando Municipal Court.