Man arrested for shining laser at SA police chopper in Adelaide’s west

Police tracked a man they say was shining a laser at their chopper to a western suburbs home and arrested him overnight.

A man has been arrested for allegedly endangering lives by shining a laser at a police helicopter in Adelaide’s west.

The chopper was deployed in the western suburbs about 12.30am Thursday when patrols noticed the laser being pointed at the aircraft.

Western District patrols were notified on the ground and they tracked the laser to a house at Semaphore Park.

A man inside the house, 48, was arrested and charged with a number of serious offences including prejudice safe operation of an aircraft and use or have possession of a prohibited weapon.

He was bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in May.

It follows the arrest of a Woodcroft man for shining a laser at a police chopper at the end of 2020.

The man was tracked to his home where officers found him in possession of the laser.

The Aircraft Offences Act 1971 states it is an offence to do an act or thing capable of prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft. Penalties can include a maximum 14 years’ jail.

Originally published as Man arrested for shining laser at SA police chopper in Adelaide’s west