Man Arrested After Pointing Laser At Police Helicopter In Suffolk: Police

SELDEN, NY — A Selden man was arrested after pointing a laser at a police helicopter Sunday, officials said.

According to Suffolk County police, aviation section officers were flying a helicopter to search for the driver who fled the scene of a motor vehicle crash in Selden.

During the search, Joseph Gil, 33, who was on the property on Dare Road, pointed a laser at the helicopter and struck the pilot and members of the flight crew at 11:10 p.m., police said.

Aviation section officers, with assistance from the Sixth Precinct and canine section, located Gil; he was arrested and charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor, police said.

He was issued a field appearance ticket and scheduled for arraignment at First District Court at a later date, police said.