1 arrest after laser pointed at Philadelphia police helicopter

PHILADELPHIA - August 12, 2013 (WPVI) -- One man has been arrested and charged with allegedly pointing a laser at a Philadelphia Police helicopter.

Luis Martinez, 20, of the 5200 block of Montour Street, was arrested after the incident at 9:17 p.m. on Sunday.

Police say the helicopter was in the air, searching a wooded area at Whitaker and Ruscomb for a report of a woman screaming. That report was later determined to be unfounded.

While the officers were in the air they were hit with a green laser.

The officers tried to elude the laser, but the beam stayed with them, interfering with their vision and their instruments, police said.

So, the officers used the helicopter's spotlight to illuminate the source of the laser. Police on the ground responded and took Martinez and one other person into custody.

Police say the laser was found on Martinez, so he was charged with aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of crime, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Martinez could also face federal charges, police said.

The other person initially taken into custody has not been charged.

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