Boy, 15, Suspected Of Pointing Laser At TV Station Helicopter
POMONA (CBSLA.com) — A 15-year-old boy was in his parents' custody Friday after he was arrested on suspicion of pointing a laser at a TV station helicopter.
The pilot of the KTLA-TV Channel 5 helicopter said the laser was pointed at his aircraft at 8:04 p.m. Thursday, Pomona police Lt. Chuck Becker said. The beam appeared to have originated around Pomona Civic Center near the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Garey Avenue.
A photojournalist aboard the helicopter recorded the suspect, who was located and arrested on suspicion of discharging a laser at an aircraft, Becker said. The boy, whose name was not released because of his age, was released to the custody of his parents.
Discharging a laser at any aircraft is a felony.
More than 20 aircraft over at least 16 U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Ontario and Palm Springs, were targeted by laser beams on Wednesday night alone, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
None of the pilots reported injuries.
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