Man blinds pilots landing at Perth Airport with laser, then turns it on police chopper: police allege

A 52-year-old man has been charged by police after he allegedly blinded commercial pilots with a laser as they attempted to land at Perth International Airport.

On January 20 at 12.50am, WA Police received reports from the pilots that the laser was interfering with their operational safety and navigational capacity.

The Western Australia Police Force helicopter (PolAir) began a search of the area around the airport.

A laser was then pointed directly into the helicopter’s cabin, causing disorientation and stress to the three officers inside.

Over eight minutes, the laser was pointed into the helicopter cabin four times. Recording equipment and Forward Looking Infrared technology was used to find the person responsible.

PolAir allegedly captured the 52-year-old on video at a home around 4.5 kilometres away from the airport runway in Rivervale.

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They directed police officers on the ground to the man’s location and officers found him in the rear yard with the laser allegedly used against the pilots.

During a search of the home, it will be alleged police also located and seized a cross bow with 11 arrows.