Man Pointed Laser Pointer At Aircraft: Manatee County Sheriff

BRADENTON, FL — A South Carolina man faces charges after repeatedly shining a green laser light at aircraft and deputies Wednesday night, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release. (Watch aerial footage of his arrest below.)

The MCSO Aviation Unit overheard air traffic control from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport radioing about an incoming aircraft being struck with the laser around 9:30 p.m.

The air traffic controllers indicate the source came from an area near Lakewood Ranch High School, the sheriff’s office said.

While the sheriff’s office helicopter was responding to the 5500 block of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, another call came in regarding a citizen being painted by the same laser.

As deputies arrived to the scene, the suspect, later identified as Nicholas S. Clayton, 35, of Clover, shined the laser pointer at a deputy’s patrol vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

He refused multiple requests to leave his vehicle during a traffic stop, and was removed by deputies and arrested.

Clayton is charged with pointing a laser at a driver/pilot and resisting arrest.

Watch aerial footage from MCSO of his arrest: