Police arrest man for shining laser pointer at police helicopter in Phoenix

PHOENIX - Police arrested a Phoenix man Friday after he aimed a green laser pointer at a police helicopter.

Corey Blake Hubley, 26, was arrested at his cousin’s house near North 43rd and West Glendale avenues after he shined a laser pointer at a police helicopter and it spotted him and called for backup.

The laser was pointed at the helicopter for two to three seconds, obstructing the pilot’s vision, but no injuries were sustained, according to a report.

Police arrived at the residence around 10 p.m. and found Hubley waiting outside. He admitted to shining the laser at the helicopter and the laser was given to police by Hubley’s cousin.

Hubley said he was playing with his cousin’s laser pointer when he pointed it into the sky for several seconds. He was aware there was a helicopter in the area but said he thought it was far away, police said. As soon as he realized he had pointed it at the helicopter, he turned off the laser.

After Hubley’s cousin told him that pointing a laser at an aircraft was against the law, Hubley said he went inside and told his parents the police would be on their way.

He was arrested without incident and has been charged with one count of endangerment, a class six felony.