Baltimore County Police want to remind the public that it is illegal to shine a laser pointer at any aircraft and an arrest was made for that type of incident on July 26 just after 12:30 a.m.
Police reported a suspect stood in front of the 1700 block of Earhart Road in Essex and shined a laser pointer through the cockpit of Baltimore County Police Department’s helicopter.
At the time, officers from the Baltimore County Police Department’s Aviation Unit flew the helicopter over Eastern Boulevard and Orville Road, assisting officers with an unrelated investigation. Officers flying the helicopter located the suspect and he was quickly arrested by patrol officers.
Brandon Dunevant (31) of the 1700 block of Earhart Road of Essex was arrested and charged with pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft. He is currently held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on a no bail status.
The Baltimore County Police Department said they take these acts very seriously. Pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft is extremely hazardous to the flight crew and to people on the ground.
It should be noted that pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft is a misdemeanor that carries a $2,500 fine or up to three years jail time.
