Crime & Safety
Port Richey Man Charged With Pointing Laser At Helicopter
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office Air Unit was assisting with a call when the Air6 helicopter was targeted by a laser.
PORT RICHEY, FL-A 27-year-old Port Richey man has been charged with misuse of a laser lighting device after reportedly aiming a laser at a sheriff’s helicopter flying overhead.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit was assisting with a barricaded suspect call Dec. 5 just before 11 p.m. when the Air6 helicopter was targeted by a laser, temporarily blinding pilot, Stephen Bowman, and interfering with the unit’s mission.
Bowman left the crime scene to track down the laser and its owner. He landed in a parking lot about a quarter mile from the location where the laser originated and walked to the home of the suspect, Ryan Fluke of 7515 Ironbark Drive, Port Richey. He was joined by patrol units who arrested and charged Fluke.
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Photo via Pasco County Sheriff's Office
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