A Lincoln man was arrested for multiple laser strikes on a Nebraska State Patrol helicopter.
On Friday at 10 p.m. NSP pilots launched from the Lincoln Airport to assist the Lincoln Police Department in downtown Lincoln. While flying, pilots reported a laser strike on the helicopter.
Pilots reported several more laser strikes while searching for the origin. The source of the laser was identified as a subject walking on a path near Salt Creek, south of West O Street. Troopers and LPD officers were directed to the subject’s location.
Troopers located the subject just south of West O Street on the Salt Creek Levee Trail. The subject was found to be in possession of a laser pointer and was taken into custody without incident.
After consultation with the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office, the subject, Lee Cimfel, 42, of Lincoln, was lodged in Lancaster County Jail for second degree assault.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense and any laser strike constitutes an in-flight emergency.
NSP has reported the laser strike to the Federal Aviation Administration.
