An Ajax man is facing charges for allegedly flashing a handheld laser beam into the cockpit of a Durham Regional Police Service helicopter on Saturday evening.
“The use of any laser light beam creates potential hazards for aircraft operations. When directed into the cockpit, laser lights can create temporary blindness that may affect the pilot’s ability to operate the aircraft safely,” Durham Police's Staff Sgt. Alan Mack, the officer in charge of the air support unit, said Tuesday in a news release.
“We take incidents of this nature very seriously.”
At about 8 p.m., the helicopter had been hovering at about 1,200 feet above Parkins Drive in Ajax, helping officers on the ground find a suspected drunk driver, when the incident occurred.
In response, the helicopter's pilot took evasive action and descended quickly to attempt to avoid the glaring effect of the laser.
Police say the attack occurred with a device known as a Level 3B laser. It can emit a green beam that can strike objects up to 4,000 feet away.
Durham Police released a video that simulates the effect of a laser beam striking the window of an aircraft's cockpit at night.
Using onboard infrared technology, police said the helicopter's crew found the originating point of the beam and spotted the suspect in a home's backyard.
Police arrested the suspect without incident.
Brendon Schoenwald, 19, faces the following Criminal Code charges:
- obstructing police
- common nuisance
- mischief to property
- endangering life
He also faces charges under the Aeronautics Act of projecting a bright light source at an aircraft and dangerous behaviour.
The maximum penalty for the Aeronautics Act offences can be up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $100,000.
No allegations against Schoenwald have been proven in a court of law.
