About 1:20am this morning (19/01), the man allegedly aimed a green laser beam light directly at a police aircraft on patrol.
The shining of the laser light directly interferes with the operational safety and navigational capacity of the aircraft and pilot. This action caused immediate distress to the three Police personnel onboard the aircraft.
Police staff operating the aircraft directed officers on the ground to the location of where the laser light beam originated from.
A 51-year-old man from Morley has been charged with:-
• Cause Fear or Alarm with Laser or Light to People in Conveyances or Others; and
• Possessed a Controlled Weapon.
He is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on 10 February 2025.
A WA Police Force spokesperson said pointing laser lights at aircraft is a serious offence.
"Pointing a laser light at any aircraft is a highly dangerous act and requires the pilot of the aircraft to take evasive action to keep them and their crew safe.
"Laser lights not only light up the cabin of a plane or helicopter, but can temporarily blind the pilot which puts everyone onboard in real danger.
"There are serious penalties for this offence, with several people previously found guilty in court of such offences being fined $10,000."
