Man Arrested For Pointing Laser At PCSO Helicopter: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — A man accused of pointing a laser at a Polk County Sheriff's Office helicopter is now facing a felony charge, authorities said.

According to the sheriff's office, on Thursday, the helicopter was flying over Davenport assisting patrol units on the ground with aerial surveillance.

While doing so, deputies said two pilots saw a man, later identified as 52-year-old Douglas Norris of Davenport, in the area of Burford Circle pointing a laser at the chopper three times.

The pilots relayed a description and location to patrol units on the ground.

Deputies located Norris at 302 Burford Circle.

The sheriff's office said Norris admitted that he pointed the laser at the helicopter and that he knew it was against the law.

“Aiming lasers at an aircraft is dangerous because the light becomes magnified when the pilot is wearing night vision assistance," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news release. "This reckless act could cause a crash, endangering the lives of those in the aircraft as well as those on the ground. Thankfully, in this instance, no one was injured.”

Norris was arrested and charged with unlawful use of a laser light device.

He was released after paying a $1,000 bond.