Man Arrested for Shining Laser at Police Helicopter

Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release: 10/058/0223/tjw/(7)
March 16, 2010

Man Arrested for Shining Laser at Police Helicopter

West Springfield District Station – A man was arrested after allegedly shining a laser light and a flashlight at a Fairfax County Police helicopter while the crew searched for a suspect in an unrelated case around 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, February 27.

The flight crew was up in the air in the area of Newington Forest Avenue and Winding Way when a green laser light and a white light obstructed their vision of the ground and their equipment. They determined the light was coming from 7806 Blue Jasmine Court and an investigation by patrol officers led to the arrest of Raymond Jeffrey Poli, 47, of the same address, on Thursday, March 4. He was charged with interfering with the operation of an aircraft and endangering life. Poli was additionally charged with obstruction of justice.

Interfering with the operation of an aircraft and endangering life is a Class 6 Felony and is punishable by at least one year up to five years in jail, or at the discretion of a judge or jury, not more than 12 months in jail and/or a $2500 fine.

Raymond Jeffrey Poli