TAMPA — Authorities have arrested a man after they say he pointed a laser at a police helicopter in southwest Florida.

Tampa Police say the helicopter was targeted by a blue laser around 3:40 a.m. Sunday while conducting routine flight operations. The air crew directed patrol units on the ground to the area where the laser was coming from.

Authorities said they found Mark White, 40, in the backyard of a home with a blue laser. He was charged with targeting an aircraft with a laser. The FBI is also investigating and will consider additional charges.

Associated Press