A laser pointer (© Can Stock Photo / fotonaut)A laser pointer (© Can Stock Photo / fotonaut)
Windsor

OPP look for suspect with laser pointer after aircraft was targeted

The Ontario Provincial Police hope someone can point them to a suspect after a dangerous situation on Friday night.

Around 8:30 p.m., someone pointed a laser pointer at an aircraft flying over Belle River.

NAV Canada at the Windsor International Airport called the OPP to report the incident, which police say could have caused a serious accident.

"The OPP would like to remind everyone that shining a laser pointer at any driver, whether it's a pilot of an aircraft or a vessel or even the driver of a vehicle, can be extremely dangerous," said a release from the OPP. "The magnitude of the beam is greater at distances. Just because you can't see the focus of the beam on the target doesn't mean that the target isn't being hit."

The light from the laser can distract or even temporarily blind the pilot, and interfering with the performance of a flight crew is a criminal offence.

Police patrolled the area the laser beam is believed to have originated from but did not find a suspect.

Anyone with information can call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leave a tip online at www.catchcrooks.com.

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