The suspect could potentially face between 16 months and three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $2,000
NEED TO KNOW
- A man was arrested after allegedly pointing a green laser at a California Highway Patrol aircraft during a routine patrol
- Laser strikes can cause pilot blindness and increase the risk of crashes, according to law enforcement officials
- The FAA reports over 2,200 laser hazard incidents this year with fines up to $32,646 per violation
One person was taken into custody last week after a law enforcement aircraft was allegedly struck with a green laser during a routine aerial patrol.
Just after 9 p.m. local time on Friday, April 17, an air unit with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Office of Air Operations in Fullerton “received laser strikes from the surface streets below,” according to a social media post from CHP Westminster. The aircraft was patrolling around Interstate 5 and State Route 91 at the time of the incident.
In a video shared by the department, a green laser appears to emerge out of a residential neighborhood in the direction of the aircraft. As the plane approaches, the beam of light continues to shine toward the CHP vehicle.
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Officers eventually switched the onboard camera to night-vision mode, providing a clearer view of the subject. The clip then appears to show an adult man standing on a sidewalk in front of a Westminster home. Also nearby were two small children who ran back toward the house at the end of the video…