Teen charged with shining laser at York police chopper

A 19-year-old Richmond Hill male has been charged with allegedly shining a laser pointer at a police helicopter while it was in the air responding to a weapons call.

York Regional Police said the Air2 helicopter was surveying the area of Carville Road and Yonge Street at approximately 1 a.m. ET on Sunday when a bright green light started to shine into the rotorcraft from a residential home.

"The pilot encountered several laser strikes and took evasive action for the safety of the crew and the aircraft," police said in a news release.

Video surveillance from the helicopter shows police zooming in to determine the exact address of the home on Essex Avenue, near Newkirk Road and Major Mackenzie Drive.

A search warrant was executed on Wednesday and police said they seized the laser along with "drug-related items."

Nima Zergani of Richmond Hill has been charged with mischief endangering life, projection of a directed bright light source, unruly or dangerous behaviour and possession of a controlled substance.

Health Canada says that only a split second look into a laser point can result in a condition known as flash blindness, similar to the effect experienced during flash photography.

Police said the result can be serious for a pilot flying over a populated residential neighbourhood.

“Those who are aiming these pointers at our aircraft are putting lives in danger, not only in the aircraft, but also on the ground,” police said.