Guns N Roses guitarist proposes after Las Vegas police chopper ride; investigation underway

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Las Vegas police are investigating whether employees went too far for reportedly helping the guitarist of Guns N Roses execute a grand romantic gesture.

Daren Jay “DJ” Ashba posted a photo on Instagram Saturday of himself and his girlfriend, Colombian actress and model Nathalia Henao, wearing helicopter headgear. He thanked the Las Vegas police department for “the most amazing” private helicopter tour over the city, saying it ended in a field at police headquarters, where he proposed amid roses and “a bottle of the bubble stuff.”

“That was the most incredible day of our life!!” he wrote in the post, which came after a picture of a round-cut diamond solitaire with the caption, “She said yes!!!”

“(I)t was beautiful she didn’t expect a thing, it was magical. And thanks to our good friends for helping making it all happen!!” Ashba, 40, continued.

Guns N Roses’ publicist confirmed the validity of the account to The Associated Press. She said the couple met three years ago in Rome and got engaged Wednesday.

Las Vegas police issued a statement Sunday acknowledging two civilians were granted a ride-along in a helicopter, although they didn’t mention names and didn’t offer many details.

“An internal affairs investigation has been initiated to determine if any department policies or regulations were violated in granting this ride-along,” spokesman Bill Cassell said.

The helicopter ride comes as the department is already strapped for cash. Last week, Sheriff Doug Gillespie continued his push to increase sales tax in Clark County — which includes Las Vegas — from 8.1 to 8.25 per cent.

The tax initiative, dubbed “More Cops,” is aimed at plugging a $30 million budget hole, thereby saving some positions from being cut and allowing new officers to be hired.

That irony wasn’t lost on one Instagram commenter, who goes by the handle mjmannino81.

“It’s nice to know that Clark County (which includes Las Vegas), might raise the sales tax to pay for extra cops to give private helicopter tours for wealthy celebrities,” he wrote.