Man accused of pointing laser at planes over Vernon

A 39-year-old Vernon man is facing potential charges under the Criminal Code and Aeronautics Act after allegedly pointing a laser into the cockpits of several planes over Vernon.

Nav Canada notified RCMP they were receiving reports of someone pointing a green laser into the cockpits of commercial aircraft around 11:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9.

Officers began a search for the green beam which was believed to be coming from Becker Park, which is just west of the Vernon Recreation Complex.

“Shortly before midnight, a group of people searching for the origin of the laser encountered a person in Becker Park believed to be responsible for pointing the laser at the aircraft. Once discovered, the suspect left the area and the witnesses, from a safe distance, were able to point nearby officers in the direction of the suspect,” said Const. Chris Terleski, media relations officer.

Terleski said Mounties stopped the fleeing suspect who allegedly assaulted the arresting officer.

“The suspect refused to comply with police and physically resisted the arrest until additional officers arrived and safely took the man into custody. Fortunately, our officers were not physically injured while dealing with this individual.”

Terleski said all of the aircraft involved were able to land safely.

“We want to remind the public that pointing a laser at an aircraft poses an extreme risk to aviation and endangers the lives of both the occupants of the aircraft, as well as the people on the ground,” the officer stated.

Under the Aeronautics Act, someone convicted of pointing a laser into an aircraft cockpit in Canada could face up to five years in prison and face fines up to $100,000.

The incident remains under investigation.