Man arrested for shining laser at Hillsborough County helicopter conducting surveillance

A man was arrested after authorities said he shone a laser at a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office helicopter that was mid-flight in Brandon.

According to HCSO, one of their helicopters was struck by a bright green laser multiple times on Wednesday around 4:24 a.m. while doing surveillance in Brandon.

Within minutes, patrol deputies arrested William Long Lee, 56, and charged him with Felony Misuse of a Laser Lighting Device. According to the sheriff's office, this is the second such arrest in the last two weeks.

"Shining a laser at a pilot or aircraft is extremely dangerous and illegal," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Pointing a laser can distract or temporarily blind the pilot. The light can often spread so much that a pilot cannot avoid it. This irresponsible behavior posed an imminent threat to the safety of our pilot and tactical flight deputy."

HCSO asked the community never to shine a laser into the sky or at an aircraft, warning that the consequences could be deadly.