A 16-year-old is accused of pointing a laser at a New York State Police helicopter late Friday night in Onondaga County.
State Police said the helicopter was flying near Buckley Road in the Town of Salina at approximately 11:32 p.m. when the pilot reported that a green laser illuminated the aircraft’s interior.
Using the helicopter’s thermal imaging system, the pilot allegedly located a person beneath an overhang near a picnic table and relayed the location to troopers patrolling the Syracuse Nationals After Hours event.
Troopers found the teenager and took the juvenile into custody without incident. A device equipped with a laser was recovered as evidence, according to police.
The juvenile was charged with first-degree directing a laser at an aircraft, issued an appearance ticket for Onondaga County Youth Part Court and released to a parent.
The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in North Syracuse is handling the case.
State Police warned that pointing a laser at an aircraft can temporarily blind or disorient a pilot, impair night vision and endanger flight crews, passengers and people on the ground.
