California Man Points Blue Laser At Highway Patrol Plane, Arrested

A man in California, accused of pointing a blue laser light at a pilot flying a highway patrol plane late Monday, was arrested.

The laser, aimed specifically at the aircraft at around 10:50 p.m. local time (1:50 a.m. EST, Tuesday), struck the pilot in the eye. He, however, was able to maintain control as the autopilot system was active. The flight officer navigated the camera toward the direction of the laser and captured a video that California Highway Patrol (CHP)-Golden Gate Division Air Operations shared on Facebook.

Deputies at the Solano County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded and located the suspect. They identified him as Christopher Larsen, 33.

Larsen was booked at the Solano County jail on two felony charges related to intentionally interfering with CHP air operations.

Over the past few days, several Travis Airforce Base military planes and civilian planes were being reportedly struck by a laser. Police were investigating to ascertain whether Larsen was involved in those incidents.

In January, a Florida man was arrested after he shot laser light four times at planes landing at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. A pilot, who was struck directly in the eye, had blurred vision and temporary blindness. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Charlie Chapman Jr., 41, and slapped charges against him.