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Canada: Oshawa teen arrested after lasing copter. UPDATE: Five more teens charged
30 Jul 2011 -- Categories: Aviation incidents | Arrests
An 18-year-old was arrested after a “strong” green laser strike on a Durham Regional Police helicopter, on July 29 2011. An officer on the aircraft (not the pilot) experienced “vision problems” and was examined at a local hospital. Robert Roughly was arrested at his home on Dunrobin Court in Oshawa, 60 miles northwest of Toronto.
From 680 News and Oye! Times
UPDATE August 8 2011: Investigators announced the arrests of five more teens: Dale Branton, Alana Capesky, Andrew Capesky, Curtis Lee, and Aaron Mountjoy. Each person is 18 years old. The five teens were charged with the same counts as Roughly (see list above). According to the National Post, “Witness testimony and unspecified investigations led police to allege that the six accused took turns passing the laser around and aiming it at the helicopter.” From CityTV Toronto, Canoe.ca, DurhamRegion.com and the National Post
Roughly’s home is within a kilometer of Oshawa Airport
The teenager faces the following charges:
- Project Bright Light Source at Aircraft (Canadian Aviation Act)
- Interfere with Performance of Duties of any Crew Member (Aeronautics Act)
- Lessen the Ability of any Crew Member to Perform Duties (Aeronautics Act)
- Assault with a Weapon Causing Bodily Harm
- Mischief Endangering Life
- Common Nuisance
From 680 News and Oye! Times
UPDATE August 8 2011: Investigators announced the arrests of five more teens: Dale Branton, Alana Capesky, Andrew Capesky, Curtis Lee, and Aaron Mountjoy. Each person is 18 years old. The five teens were charged with the same counts as Roughly (see list above). According to the National Post, “Witness testimony and unspecified investigations led police to allege that the six accused took turns passing the laser around and aiming it at the helicopter.” From CityTV Toronto, Canoe.ca, DurhamRegion.com and the National Post