SOUTH SIDE MAN INDICTED FOR SHINING EXTREMELY HIGH POWERED SPOTLIGHT AT POLICE HELICOPTER ON A BURGLARY IN PROGRESS RUN

Posted on 9/27/2019

Defendant: Terrell Jeron Richards

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, “This man was repeatedly shining an extremely high powered spotlight at a Columbus Police helicopter, and interfered with the crew’s ability to fly safely.”  Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Terrell Jeron Richards, age 30, for one count of Interfering with the Operation of an Aircraft with a Laser (F-2).  At approximately 9:00 pm on September 6th, 2019, Columbus Police were dispatched on a priority call for service for a burglary in progress.  While assisting the on ground patrol units at the burglary, the crew in a CPD helicopter were repeatedly being hit in the cockpit with an extremely bright spotlight.  The crew was able to determine the source and location of the light and directed ground units to that suspect’s location on Lilley Avenue.  “Once ground police arrived at the suspect’s home, a Hyper Tough 3.7v model number 9930 spotlight was recovered,” O’Brien stated.   O’Brien further stated, “This defendant faces up to eight years in prison if convicted of the count in this indictment.”  Arraignment for Richards is set for Tuesday, October 15^th at 1:30 pm in courtroom 2A at 345 S. High Street in downtown Columbus.