A 15-year-old boy was in his parents’ custody Friday following his arrest on suspicion of pointing a laser at a television station’s helicopter.
The pilot of the KTLA-TV Channel 5 helicopter said the laser was pointed at his aircraft at 8:04 p.m. Thursday, said Pomona police Lt. Chuck Becker. The beam appeared to have originated around Pomona Civic Center near the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Garey Avenue, he said.
A photojournalist aboard the helicopter recorded the suspect, who was located and arrested on suspicion of discharging a laser at an aircraft, Becker said, adding he was released to the custody of his parents. His name was not released because he is a minor.
More than 20 aircraft over at least 16 U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Ontario and Palm Springs, were struck by laser beams on Wednesday night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. None of the pilots reported injuries.
There had been 5,352 laser strikes reported in the U.S. as of Oct. 16, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
