Laser Aimed at Aircraft Near Palomar Airport

Deputies are looking for culprit who also shined the laser at a Sheriff's helicopter.

Someone pointed a laser at aircraft flying near Encinitas, south of Palomar Airport, San Diego county Sheriff's investigators said. While looking for a suspect, deputies flying in the ASTREA helicopter were also targeted by the laser at least twice.

Investigators received reports of the laser activity around 6:50 p.m. Friday night, they. They pinpointed the source of the laser near some lighted baseball diamonds near Lake Dr. and Birmingham in Encinitas. Ground units responded to the area and spoke to several people at the park, but no laser was recovered and no arrests were made.

The first reports of the laser activity came from the control tower at Palomar Airport, which frequently directs incoming commercial flights, according to investigators.

Deputies reminded the public that  shining a laser at any aircraft is both a state and federal felony.

In a recent case, a couple in Kern County Ca. were sentenced to 2 years and 18 months respectively in federal prison for shining a laser into the cockpit of a Kern County Sheriff's patrol helicopter.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the San Diego County Sheriff's Department at 858-565-5200.

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