SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Deputies arrested a man for pointing a laser at a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office helicopter on Friday night, according to Spokane Valley Police Department.
Around 10:15 p.m. on August 1, SCSO’s Air 1 helicopter was out on a regularly scheduled flight patrolling for a reported reckless driver.
While flying in north Spokane in the area of Nevada Street and Lincoln Road, the helicopter crew was hit with an intense, green laser.
SVPD says pointing a laser at any aircraft is illegal because it is extremely dangerous and can distract crew members or cause temporary or permanent blindness.
Using an onboard camera system, Air 1 crew determined the laser was coming from a home near Lidgerwood Street and Cozza Drive.
SCSO deputies responded to the home and found 68-year-old Ernest Donlan.
Donlan initially denied pointing a laser at the helicopter, but eventually admitted to the crime.
He was booked into Spokane County Jail for unlawful discharge of a laser.
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