MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A man arrested Wednesday in Merritt Island is accused of pointing a laser at a Brevard County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
Jonathan Cross, 33, faces a charge of misuse of laser lighting devices, records show.
According to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Cross on Wednesday night pointed a laser multiple times at the sheriff’s office’s “STAR” (Sheriff’s Tactical Air Response) helicopter.
The incident put the helicopter pilots in harm’s way and impacted their ability to assist deputies on the ground who were attempting to find a missing juvenile, Ivey said on social media.
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Video from STAR, shared by the sheriff’s office, shows the flight crew pinpointing where the laser was coming from.
Deputies were directed to an apartment along North Courtenay Parkway where Cross met them at the door, according to the sheriff’s office.
Cross reportedly handed over the laser and admitted to shining it at the helicopter, according to a probable cause affidavit. When he was asked if he knew that the helicopter belonged to the sheriff’s office, the document alleges he said, “No, but I mean who else would be circling around like that?“
No injuries were reported.
Cross’ first appearance in court was scheduled for Thursday. There, he was appointed a public defender and his bond was set at $5,000 after Cross had been held on no bond amount. The judge ordered that Cross not possess any type of laser lighting device, records show.
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