There are plenty of dumb ways to break the law and even dumber ways to go to jail. Two individuals in Florida recently discovered this the hard way after pointing lasers at police helicopters over the weekend.
In both incidents, police helicopters captured crystal-clear video of the events and helped ground units locate the perpetrators. As a result, both suspects now face felony charges following their individual arrests.
Using the aircraft’s high-powered camera, deputies were able to guide ground units directly to the Avina apartment complex. There, they found 13-year-old Angel Lacen, who authorities say was responsible for one of the laser strikes. Lacen was arrested and charged with misuse of a laser lighting device—a third-degree felony in Florida.
A few days earlier, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office dealt with a nearly identical situation in Bradenton. Their Watch Unit reported a laser strike coming from a backyard while their helicopter circled overhead. Deputies quickly zeroed in on the source, directing officers from the Bradenton Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol to the scene.
There, they arrested 39-year-old Tony Hill, who reportedly still had a pen-style green laser in his hand at the time. Hill now faces the same charge as Lacen, which carries penalties of up to five years in prison.
Both departments released footage of the incidents, showcasing how the advanced camera systems onboard their helicopters made identifying the exact laser source a straightforward task.
You might be wondering, “What’s the big deal about a laser?” It may seem harmless enough, and to date, the FAA has no record of any plane or helicopter crashes caused by laser strikes. This is despite over 18,000 reports of laser strikes on pilots in the last year and a half.
However, laser strikes can be dangerous. In 2024, a pilot reported surviving a temporary injury caused by a laser, crediting the modern instruments on his airplane for preventing a more severe accident. Thankfully, he later regained his sight fully.
Lasers might be fun for people of all ages to play with, but appropriate use is crucial. As the Manatee County authorities put it succinctly: **“Shine a laser pointer at the Sheriff’s helicopter and expect to end up in jail.”**
*Lead image: Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office*
https://www.carscoops.com/2025/09/florida-teen-just-found-out-what-happens-when-you-aim-a-laser-at-a-helicopter/