Investigations

Md. Teen Charged With Pointing a Laser at Police Helicopter

April 20, 2011

Baltimore County police charged a teen after Maryland State Police on a training mission reported being hit by a laser beam while in flight.

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. --

Baltimore County police charged a teen Sunday night after Maryland State Police on a training mission reported being hit by a laser beam while in flight.

The 13-year-old boy was charged as a juvenile with reckless endangerment and laser pointer misuse. He was released into the custody of his parents.

Maryland State Police said the helicopter was over eastern Baltimore County when the cockpit was hit with a bright green light around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Police said the light temporarily blinded both pilots.

The pilots were eventually able to spot where the light came from, and police said a boy was seen running into a house as the helicopter spotlight was shown in the area of the home.

A county police unit went to the home and talked with the boy's parents. They also recovered the laser pointer, police said.

Officials said using laser pointers on aircraft can be extremely dangerous and cause blindness in the pilots, as well as crashes.