Crime & Safety
Man Arrested For Pointing Laser At MCSO Helicopter: Sheriff
Alejandro Bautista Wvalle was arrested Saturday night for shining a green laser light at an aircraft, the MCSO said.
BRADENTON, FL — Alejandro Bautista Wvalle, 46, was arrested in Bradenton Saturday night after pointing a laser device at a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, MCSO said in a news release.
Around 8:50 p.m. Saturday, the MCSO Aviation Unit was assisting deputies with an unrelated call when the pilot and observation deputy noticed a flash of light aimed at the helicopter several times, the sheriff’s office said.
They determined the suspect – later identified as Wvalle – was shining the light from the 300 block of 16th Street East. The Aviation Unit guided deputies on the ground to the light’s location.
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ARREST: Alejandro Bautista Wvalle (DOB: 7/23/74) has been arrested after pointing a laser at the #MCSOAviationUnit helicopter while they assisted deputies on an unrelated call. Never point lasers at aircraft. It's dangerous, and it's a felony! https://t.co/9g4grbUFXH pic.twitter.com/Z1BQktAjmm
— Manatee Sheriff (@ManateeSheriff) February 1, 2021
When they arrived at the address, they found Wvalle with a green laser pointer. He admitted to shining the laser light in the sky, but said he didn’t know it was illegal, the sheriff’s office said.
He was arrested and charged with pointing a laser device at an aircraft.
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