Warnbro man arrested after shining laser light at police helicopter

Around 12:30am this morning, Wednesday 17 July 2024, Police Air Wing officers were on patrol in the Rockingham area when their police helicopter was struck by a laser light.

The helicopter crew tracked the laser light to the rear yard of a residence on Silvertop Circle, Warnbro.

Rockingham Police attended the address and it will be alleged a search of the residence resulted in a laser light being located. A 44-year-old man was arrested without incident.

The 44-year-old Warnbro man has been advised by Rockingham Police that he will be charged by summons for the offence of ‘Cause fear or alarm with laser or light to people in conveyances or others’, and will be required to appear in court at a later date.

A WA Police Force spokesperson said pointing laser lights at aircraft is a serious offence.

“Pointing a laser light at any aircraft is a highly dangerous act and requires the pilot of the aircraft to take evasive action to keep them and their crew safe.

“Laser lights not only light up the cabin of a plane or helicopter, but can temporarily blind the pilot which puts everyone onboard in real danger.

“There are serious penalties for this offence, with several people previously found guilty in court of such offences being fined $10,000.”