TORONTO – Police in Durham are warning the public to not point laser-pointers at people, after a Durham woman is charged with pointing one at police officers while they were operating a low-flying helicopter.
The 20-year old Uxbridge woman, Melissa Perry, has been charged with mischief endangering life, assault with a weapon, common nuisance, and projecting a bright light at air source under the Canadian Aviation Act.
The incident occurred just before 8p.m. on April 21 as a low-flying police helicopter was helping officers investigate a mischief incident on Victoria Street in Uxbridge.
During the investigation, a police officer in the helicopter was repeatedly struck by a laser beam before the suspects fled on foot.
The “strikes,” according to police lasted for several minutes.
According to a press release from Durham regional police, the laser made it difficult for the pilot to safely fly the helicopter.
The helicopter was just 5000 feet above Uxbridge, and police were concerned about the possibility of crashing into a residential neighbourhood according to Sgt. Nancy VanRooy from Durham Regional Police.
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