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Virginia man arrested for pointing laser at police helicopter

The crew was able to track the laser to a balcony apartment in the 9200 block of Ashland Woods Lane.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — A Virginia man is facing charges after allegedly pointing a laser at a police helicopter in Fairfax County.

According to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD), the department was helping  Virginia State Police search for someone who ran away from their Troopers earlier this month.

Just before 11:30 p.m. the crew of Fairfax 1, FCPD's helicopter, noticed someone point a laser at the aircraft. The crew was able to track the laser to a balcony apartment in the 9200 block of Ashland Woods Lane.

Special Investigation Division detectives went to the apartment and arrested an unidentified 25-year-old man for interference with the operation of an aircraft.

He has since been released on an unsecured bond. 

FCPD shared video of the incident on Facebook reminding people that pointing a laser at an aircraft is illegal.

"Pointing a laser at an aircraft is illegal and also a very bad idea when that aircraft is a police helicopter," the Facebook post reads. 

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