Wed, Mar 25, 2009
Police Already Have One Suspect
Yet another laser beam was recently pointed towards the cockpit
of an airplane flying near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport...
and what's worse, is the latest incident may involve a repeat
offender.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports a laser beam was flashed
at an Alaska Airlines flight approaching the airport Tuesday night.
The plane landed safely at just after 8 pm, and the crew told
authorities the light came from an area about two miles northwest
of the airport.
That's roughly the same area where other planes have been
targeted by lasers in recent months, according to Port of Seattle
police. Last month, a 24-year-old Burien resident was arrested on
suspicion of targeting 13 airliners with a handheld laser pointer
the night of February 22... but that man was released two weeks
ago, when charges weren't filed.
Police said that suspect -- who told police he "might have"
inadvertantly shone the green laser beam at the planes while
attending a party in the area -- is a 'person of interest' in this
latest case. However, that man was still in jail while more laser
incidents were reported near Sea-Tac at the end of February and
through the first four days of March; he wasn't released until the
11th.
"Port of Seattle police are conducting the investigation, but
they will work with the TSA and FBI," said airport spokeswoman
Terri-Ann Betancourt.
Laser beams can cause temporary blindness, a potentially deadly
situation as a plane is close to the ground while approach to land.
People indicted for shining lasers at overflying aircraft can face
federal charges under the US Patriot Act.
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