PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two separate laser strikes hit PPB air units on Saturday, resulting in the arrest of one man and a police visit to the home of a 7-year-old.
The first laser strike hit the air patroller just before 10 p.m. Saturday, police said in a release. Authorities alerted other aircraft and honed in on where the laser was.
Gresham police found the laser in the area of SE 162nd and Stark Street and arrested David Martinez. The 37-year-old was charged with unlawfully directing light from a laser pointer and reckless endangerment, plus a parole violation.
The second strike happened not long after. Police tracked that one to SE 84th and Stark, where they found a child playing with the laser. Police talked with the child’s mom and explained the dangers of pointing a laser at a plane.
Filed under: Crime, Multnomah County, Portland
