PBSO: Man Arrested For Alleged Laser-Pointing Incident
WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami) - The Palm Beach County Sheriff's office arrested a man for allegedly shining a green class II laser pointer into the cockpit of a PBSO Eagle.
Deputies said the incident occurred just before midnight Wednesday.
The man, James McDonald, was charged with pointing a laser light at a pilot and misuse of a laser lighting device.
Bond was set at $3,000.
Another incident was also reported regarding the use of a green laser pointer toward a plane just after 11:00 p.m. Wednesday night. A flight instructor with American Flyer reported the incident to authorities.
The pilot said, 4500 feet altitude, approximately six miles west of Palm Beach International Airport, he noticed a green laser beam shining into his Cessna 172 aircraft cockpit for a duration of a few seconds.
However, officials were not able to track down a subject on the ground.
Officials report there has been an ongoing problem with the misuse of a green laser that has been pointed into the cockpits of aircrafts landing at PBIA.
They want to remind the public that the misuse of a laser lighting device is a 3rd degree felony.
Also, a person who knowingly and willfully shines, points, or focuses the beam of a laser lighting device on an individual operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft and such act results in bodily injury commits a felony in the 2nd degree felony.
If the aircraft were to crash it would be a 1st degree felony
Should anyone witness the misuse of a Laser Lighting Device please report it immediately to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the nearest law enforcement agency, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS or text to tips@cspbc.com.
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