CdA man arrested for interfering with helicopter

A Coeur d'Alene man was arrested Friday night after allegedly interfering with a Kootenai County Sheriff's Office helicopter and threatening the crew's safety.

According to a press release, deputies with the Kootenai County Regional Air Support Unit were aboard the ABLE 1 conducting routine patrol about 10:45 p.m. when someone on the ground began pointing a high-powered laser at the helicopter. 

"The pilot and two tactical flight officers were wearing night vision goggles to help them navigate the controls and terrain of the area," the release said. "The laser was amplified by their goggles, rendering their vision useless."

This caused the pilot to suddenly reduce airspeed and drop altitude, the release said.

Using the helicopter's forward-looking infrared camera, deputies located the suspect in a parking lot and directed patrol units to the suspect’s location. 

Coeur d’Alene police contacted a vehicle with the suspect. A 30-year-old man was arrested on three counts of felony assault and disorderly conduct, the release said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation were notified and will be investigating as well. 

The FAA can impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation and up to $30,800 for multiple incidents. In addition, interfering with the operation of an aircraft with a laser is a felony, which can carry a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, according to the press release.

The KCSO said any interference or threat to the ABLE 1 crew’s safety is a threat to the public below, and every incident will be investigated and prosecuted.