After Months-Long Investigation, Suspect Arrested for Multiple Felony Crimes NR25149kt

West Los Angeles: Earlier this year, Major Crimes Division (MCD) began investigating cases involving pilots being struck by a laser while piloting commercial aircraft and helicopters around West Los Angeles area. The investigation led to an individual named Steven Farzam.

This joint Federal and State investigation resulted in MCD Detectives securing a filing of 28 counts of felony and misdemeanor charges against Farzam, as well as a search warrant. These charges include Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer, Impersonation of a Firefighter, Forgery, Fraud and the Striking a Aircraft with a Laser.

On July 16, 2025, Farzam was taken into custody without any incident. LAPD with support from our State and Federal partners, served a multi-location search warrant at Farzam’s residences in West Los Angeles.

Investigators recovered various items of evidence, such as two utility vehicles with CA Exempt license plates, police and fire light package equipment for vehicles, radios, first responder identifications, a Pierce Fire Engine, multiple rounds of ammunition, various fraudulent documents relating to a fictitious Fire Department, and other first responder paraphernalia.

Farzam has been booked with No Bail, under booking number 7053470.

Investigators are seeking the public’s help with any additional information regarding Farzam’s conduct, such as impersonating first responders or utilizing lasers against airline pilots. Please contact MCD Detectives at 213-486-7220, from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.