A man will appear in court after shining a laser at the police helicopter overnight.
About 9.40 pm on Thursday 18 September, PolAir was assisting patrols in the Western suburbs when the crew noticed a green laser shining at the cockpit.
The laser was coming from a house in West Croydon. PolAir directed patrols to the house in West Croydon and located a 45-year-old man and seized the laser pointer which is a prohibited weapon.
Under state law, it is illegal for a person to prejudice the safe operation of an aircraft with intent, the offence carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment.
The man was reported for prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft (with a laser) and carrying a prohibited weapon. He will be summonsed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not a harmless prank. Lasers and high-intensity lights, pose a serious risk to pilots that can result in difficult flying and impaired vision.
