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.

FMI: www.portseattle.org/seatac/