FULLERTON - A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of approaching a California Highway Patrol helicopter and trying to pull out the pilot when he landed at Fullerton Municipal Airport, police said.

Shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday, as the helicopter landed, the two helicopter officers noticed someone had opened the pilot's side door, said Fullerton police Sgt. Mike MacDonald.

Then someone reached in and tried to grab the pilot and pull him out, MacDonald said.

The pilot's partner jumped out, ran around the back of the helicopter and confronted the man who was trying to pull the pilot out, MacDonald said.

A tussle ensued.

The pilot jumped out of the helicopter and the two officers were able to take the man into custody.

"The man was screaming 'Just shoot me,' " MacDonald said.

The man, identified as Edwin Rosales of Anaheim was irrational and was believed to be under the influence of narcotics, MacDonald said.

Rosales was booked at the Fullerton City Jail on charges of misdemeanor trespassing of the airport, at 4011 W. Commonwealth Ave., being under the influence and resisting arrest.

Rosales was not carrying a weapon, MacDonald said.


Source: http://www.ocregister.com