A man from Dalton was arrested Saturday after he pointed a green laser at a Gwinnett County police helicopter during an air security check.
The helicopter was reportedly conducting a security check in the area of Pleasant Hill Road and Satellite Boulevard Saturday evening when a man pointed a green laser at the aircraft. After a short investigation, officials found and arrested Angeles Bautista, 36, of Dalton.
The flight crew in the helicopter were able to pinpoint the origin of the laser and directed officers to contact two different individuals at the location, according to Gwinnett County authorities.
Bautista was arrested and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft can be extremely dangerous because it hinders the pilot's ability to handle the aircraft and it can interfere with onboard equipment, Information Officer Hideshi Valle said Wednesday. The activity is deemed illegal due to the potential harm to pilots, the aircraft itself and the general public.
The case has been referred to the Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI Atlanta Office for a follow-up investigation.
Video footage and photographs of Bautista pointing the laser at the aircraft can be viewed in the above gallery.
