Map of the area where Bellflower resident Javier Cardenas was arrested after he allegedly shot at a Lakewood Sheriff’s Helicopter.
By Brian Hews
A Bellflower resident has been arrested on charges of attempting to shoot down a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Helicopter this past Wednesday.
Suspect Javier Cardenas, age 24, is behind bars being held on a $100,000 bail.
Details of the alleged crime were released to members of the media early Thursday morning.
“On September 18, 2013, at 1:10 pm, Lakewood Station received a cell phone call from a female. Screaming was heard, and a female was yelling at a male, asking why he was pointing a gun at her. Lakewood Station deputies, along with a LASD Helicopter, responded to the area of Virginia Avenue and Cedar Street, based on cellphone tower information. 911 operators could hear struggling over the phone line and the female begging not to be killed,” the statement read.
“Unbeknownst to the responding deputies, Suspect Cardenas and the victim were inside of a house in the 17600 block of Virginia Avenue. Suspect Cardenas fired several shots at the helicopter with a handgun from the home, and the victim was able to run out to responding deputies. The location was contained and Suspect Cardenas fired a second volley at the helicopter,” the report confirmed.
“Contact was made with Suspect Cardenas by phone and he agreed to surrender. He threw his handgun out the back window and then exited the location. He surrendered to a waiting arrest team and was taken into custody without incident. The helicopter was checked, and it was determined it was not hit by the gunfire,” officials said.
Cardenas is being held at Lakewood Station Jail for numerous felony charges including, Assault with a Firearm on a Peace Officer.
The victim in this case escaped with minor injuries. No one else was injured.
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You can partner to prevent or report crime by contacting Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at (562) 623-3500 to report suspicious activity. Or if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637,) or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
