Fairfax County police arrested Raymond Jeffrey Poli for allegedly shining a laser light and a flashlight at a Fairfax County helicopter while the crew searched for a suspect in an unrelated case around 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, February 12. Investigators determined the light was coming from 7806 Blue Jasmine Court in the Springfield area. Poli, 47 was charged with interfering with the operation of an aircraft and endangering life. Poli was also charged with obstruction of justice. (Fairfax County Police photo)
Fairfax County--A man was arrested after allegedly shining a laser light and a flashlight at a Fairfax County Police helicopter, while the crew searched for a suspect in an unrelated case around 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2010.
The flight crew and aircraft were deployed and aloft over the area of Newington Forest Avenue and Winding Way when a green laser light and a white light obstructed their vision of the ground and their equipment, True Crime Examiner has learned.
After patrol officers determined the light was coming from 7806 Blue Jasmine Court, Raymond Jeffrey Poli, 47, of the same address, was arrested on Thursday, March 4, say authorities.
Poli faces charges of interfering with the operation of an aircraft and endangering life. Poli has been charged also with obstruction of justice, say Fairfax County Police.
In a March 16 news release, Fairfax authorities state that "interfering with the operation of an aircraft and endangering life is a Class 6 Felony and is punishable by at least one year up to five years in jail, or at the discretion of a judge or jury, not more than 12 months in jail and/or a $2500 fine."
Comments
This man should get at least 12 months and more than a $2500 fine. This happened to me as I was flying. The light is blinding as it hits the glass of the windscreen. What are these people thinking when they point these lasers at aircraft? This needs to be addressed in media and educate the public of the serious dangers of their actions.
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