Laser pointers might seem like a harmless gadget, but aiming one at an aircraft can turn into a felony in a matter of seconds. Wait, what?! Yes, that’s exactly what investigators say happened early Friday morning in Pinellas County, Florida, when a Sheriff’s Office helicopter was suddenly illuminated while flying over Dunedin.
The helicopter wasn’t out on a routine patrol. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office say deputies were assisting the Clearwater Police Department with a call for service when the cockpit was struck twice by what officials described as a blue laser.
From hundreds of feet in the air, the crew says they were still able to determine the beam’s source. Instead of disappearing into the darkness, the light allegedly led deputies straight to one Dunedin home on Sunset Lane.
By the end of the morning, a 62-year-old man was arrested, a laser was recovered, and the helicopter crew safely returned to the hangar. This man thinking a silly is harmless is now facing charges, which doesn’t seem so funny now.
Deputies Say the Blue Laser Hit the Cockpit Twice
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened around 3:47 a.m. on Friday, July 3, while the Aviation Unit was assisting Clearwater police. We’re not sure what inspired the incident at such a strange hour in the middle of the night to play with a laser pointer.
But Investigators say the helicopter’s cockpit was illuminated twice by a blue laser. The laser’s definitly didn’t go unnoticed because flight deputies identified the apparent point of origin and directed patrol deputies to a residence in the 1200 block of Sunset Lane in Dunedin.
Deputies made contact with 62-year-old Eric Gelman, recovered the laser investigators believe was used during the incident, and arrested him on one count of felony Misuse of a Laser Lighting Device. He was then taken to the Pinellas County Jail for his knowingly and willfully shining and pointing of his silly laser.
The flight crew safely returned the helicopter to its hangar, where it was grounded following the incident.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office helicopter used by the Aviation Unit during law enforcement operations in Florida.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Why Lasers and Aircraft Don’t Mix
While a handheld laser may seem insignificant from the ground, it can become a major distraction for pilots.
Even brief exposure can produce intense glare or temporary flash blindness inside a cockpit, especially during nighttime operations when pilots rely heavily on their night vision. That’s one reason law enforcement agencies take these incidents seriously, whether the aircraft is a medical helicopter, news helicopter, or law enforcement aircraft.
Fortunately, deputies reported no injuries during Friday’s incident.
Florida Law Makes It a Felony
Florida law prohibits knowingly pointing a laser at someone operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.
Under state law, the offense is classified as a third-degree felony because of the potential danger it creates for pilots, passengers, and people on the ground if an aircraft is forced to react unexpectedly.
Officials say the investigation remains ongoing.
A Reminder That Small Actions Can Have Big Consequences
Laser pointers are inexpensive and easy to find, but investigators say using one to target an aircraft can quickly become a criminal offense.
In this case, deputies say the beam was visible enough for the helicopter crew to trace it back to its apparent source. What may have lasted only a few seconds from the ground ultimately ended with an arrest, the recovery of the laser, and felony charges.
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