Yucaipa bad guys beware of the eyes in the sky

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopter is valuable for locating suspects, fighting fires, and search and rescue operations.
By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Bad guys beware, the spotlight and the "heat" are on you.

For up in the sky, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department helicopter will hunt you down with infrared heat and a spotlight that's powerful enough to light up the ground below.

The helicopter, called a "Eurocopter," is piloted by Craig McConnell and flight officer, Ryan Peppler, said Steve Jaronski, reserve deputy with the aviation division of the sheriff's department.

"It's got infrared and picks up body heat of suspects running from law enforcement," Jaronski said. "It's very difficult to hide from it. If they get hit with that they are found."

The infrared is so powerful that if a suspect tries to hide - for example - behind a building, under a tarp, or in thick brush, it's futile, Jaronski said.

And there's the spotlight. It's got 30-million candle power, and with it the two men in the sky can track suspects down as they run or try to hide. While McConnell and Peppler chase after fleeing suspects from above, they guide police on the ground to the suspect's location.

But the helicopter has many purposes. It's used for finding missing persons, rescue operations, and during the fire season it has become a valuable fire-fighting tool.

"We can hook up a 150 gallon water bucket and dip out of ponds and lakes to fight fires," Jaronski said.

The sheriff's department bought the helicopter three years ago at a cost of $2.6 million. Has it been worth the cost?

"It is so versatile and multi-purpose," Jaronski said as a crowd gathered around to view the helicopter at the Bicycle Rodeo at Yucaipa Community Park on Saturday.

"It comes in real handy. It's the eyes in the sky."