LILBURN — A Georgia man has been arrested for pointing a laser at a police helicopter in Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett County Police Officers arrested the man Nov. 9 after a laser pointer interfered with a police helicopter that was searching for a stolen vehicle. The police helicopter was searching Misty View Trail just after 9 p.m. when a green laser was pointed at the cockpit area of the aircraft.
The pilot of the helicopter was able to guide officers to the location where the person was pointing the laser. When officers arrived, they met with Fredy Contreras, who initially denied pointing the laser at the aircraft.
Police say when Contreras was confronted with the fact that he was on video pointing the laser, he admitted to officers that he pointed the laser at the helicopter for fun.
Contreras was arrested for using a laser against an aircraft. The case will also be referred to the FAA to be presented to the US Attorney’s Office for possible federal prosecution.
According to the police department, pointing a laser at an aircraft is extremely dangerous as it can hinder the pilot’s ability to handle the aircraft and interfere with the equipment on board. The police department wants the general public to know that this is against the law.
