Deputies with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office arrested 70-year-old Harold Church Jr. of St. Petersburg on December 5, 2024, for felony Misuse of a Laser Lighting Device after he illuminated an airborne Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
According to deputies, at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Thursday, the Sheriff’s helicopter was assisting in a burglary call in the 6000 block of 53rd Avenue North in unincorporated St. Petersburg. Flight deputies observed a blue laser light being pointed directly at the helicopter multiple times. They maintained visual on the suspect, located outside his residence on 54th Avenue North, and directed ground patrol deputies to his location.
Upon contact, Church admitted to shining the laser at the helicopter. Florida State Statute classifies the act of knowingly and willfully shining, pointing, or focusing a laser at a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft as a third-degree felony.
Church was arrested without incident and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
The investigation continues.
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