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VIDEO: Watch as York Regional Police chopper tracks down laser strike

Two men have been charged and police are searching for a third suspect after police aircraft were hit in three separate incidents in May

NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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York Regional Police has laid charges in two incidents and are investigating a third after the police helicopter was hit with laser strikes.

On Thursday, May 21, 2020, at approximately 11:25 p.m., Air2 was flying over the area of Rutherford Road and Islington Avenue in the City of Vaughan on general patrol when the pilot and tactical flight officer were struck by a bright light source. The crew engaged in safety measures and were able to direct officers to the location of the suspect outside of a residence on Ronan Crescent. The suspect was arrested and has been charged in connection with the incident.

A 44-year-old man from Vaughan is charged with: 

  • Mischief Endangering Life  
  • Endanger Security of an Aircraft in Flight - Aeronautics Act  
  • Unlawfully Project Bright Light into Navigable Airspace- Canadian Aviation Regulation

On Friday, May 22, 2020, at approximately 11:55 p.m., Air2 was in the area of Birchmount Road and Enterprise Boulevard in the City of Markham, assisting on a break and enter investigation when they were hit multiple times by a laser. The suspect was believed to be on a balcony of a hotel located on Birchmount Road. Officers on the ground attended the location and arrested the suspect.

A 52-year-old man from Markham is charged with: 

  • Mischief Endangering Life
  • Endanger Security of an Aircraft in Flight - Aeronautics Act 
  • Unlawfully Project Bright Light into Navigable Airspace- Canadian Aviation Regulation  
  • Obstruct Police

The third incident occurred on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at approximately 11:30 p.m., when Air2 was hit by a laser while on general patrol in the area of Bathurst St. and Jefferson Sideroad in Richmond Hill. The suspect has not yet been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

York Regional Police reminds the public of the potential harm laser pointers can cause. Health Canada warns that a splitsecond look into a laser pointer can result in a condition called flash blindness. This is similar to the effect you get during flash photography, where the image of the flash remains in your eyes for a few seconds, then fades away. However, for a pilot in control of an aircraft flying over populated areas, the consequences can be very serious. Those who aim these pointers at aircraft are putting lives in danger, not only in the aircraft but on the ground, as there is a significant potential for harm to the pilot as well as the prospect of a crash.

Anyone with information on the unresolved incident is asked to contact the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

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