(CNN) — A Florida man was arrested on Wednesday night for pointing lasers at planes trying to land at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
Charlie James Chapman Jr., 41, also is accused of pointing a laser at a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office helicopter responding to the incident, according to a news release from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
CNN could not determine if Chapman has a lawyer.
According to the release, the helicopter spotted Chapman on a forklift and requested authorities to surround the location. Deputies tased Chapman after they allege he “grabbed a hammer and made a striking motion” towards them when they made contact with him. The release says a laser pointer was found in Chapman’s right pants pocket.
A video released by the Manatee Sheriff’s Office shows a man pointing a laser at an aircraft and he is later seen attempting to throw objects at the same aircraft.
“Chapman shot his laser pointer on a fixed wing plane four times and one time at the MCSO helicopter,” Manatee County police said in the release.
One of the pilots who Chapman is accused of aiming a laser at said he was hit in the eye and is having vision problems as a result of the incident, according to the release.
Chapman is facing charges of aggravated assault on an officer, pointing a laser at a pilot with injury, pointing a laser at a pilot without injury and resisting without violence, the release says.
Chapman was transported to the Manatee County Jail.
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