Man Arrested For Shining Lasers At Airplanes

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office announced Friday the arrest of a 39-year-old man for allegedly shining a green laser at several aircrafts over the past three years.

Campbell resident Michael Weeker was arrested around 7:30 p.m. Monday for 10 counts of flashing a green laser at an aircraft and could face up to eight years in prison if convicted, sheriff's Sgt. Don Morrissey said.

The arrest came after sheriff's office and San Jose Police Department helicopter flight crews were hit in the eyes with a green laser, according to Morrissey.

A joint investigation by the sheriff's office, the San Jose Police Department and the FBI then led to Weeker's arrest, according to Morrissey.

The sheriff's office helicopter flight crew was most recently shone with the laser Monday evening and was able to pin-point Weeker's location and guide sheriff's detectives to arrest Weeker, Morrissey said.

Exposure to green laser can cause permanent damage to the eye, even blindness, Morrissey said.