51-Year-Old Man Arrested for Allegedly Shining Laser at Police Chopper

A 51-year-old man was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of pointing a laser at a police helicopter.

Martin Eugene Miller, of Lake Forest, was arrested shortly after 1 a.m. for allegedly pointing the light at an Orange County Sheriff's Department chopper.

At the time, the helicopter was helping ground units investigate a possible commercial burglary, authorities said.

Miller was arrested on the 27000 block of Cranbrooke Drive, near the El Toro Road and Portola Parkway intersection, and jailed on $20,000 bail, said OCSD spokesman Jim Amormino.

"Lasers are not toys. They can temporarily blind the pilot and endanger innocent lives," Amormino said. "A 51-year-old man should know better."