VISALIA – A man was may face criminal charges for allegedly pointing a green laser light at a Tulare County Sheriff’s Office patrol aircraft and hitting both the pilot and a flight officer in the eye.
The patrol aircraft was heading to a petty theft call north of Visalia on Wednesday around 8 p.m. when it was struck with a green laser. The pilot and officer were both hit in the eye.
The flight officer was able to use the aircraft camera system to determine that the laser light originated in the backyard of a residence in the 4000 block of W. Damsen Lane in Visalia.
The sheriff’s office contacted the Visalia Police Department, which quickly sent two officers to investigate. The officers identified the suspect as 40-year-old Brian Pennington, who had possession of the green laser.
Pennington was questioned and released by the officers. The investigation will be forwarded to the District Attorney for the possible filing of criminal charges against Pennington.
