A Florida man’s dangerous hobby of pointing lasers at incoming aircraft has finally been brought to an end after a Jet Blue pilot fell victim to the blinding rays of a laser. The Tampa Police Department revealed that 47-year-old Douglas Sollenberger had allegedly targeted more than 40 flights at Tampa International Airport since the beginning of the year, putting both pilots and passengers at risk.
The alarming incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning when a Jet Blue pilot reported being struck by a laser while attempting to land at the Tampa airport. Despite the impaired vision caused by the laser, the pilot managed to safely land the aircraft. Following an investigation, authorities were able to track down Sollenberger’s location and conducted surveillance on his home.
A search warrant executed on Thursday led to the discovery of two lasers inside Sollenberger’s residence, one of which is believed to have been used in the laser incident involving the Jet Blue flight. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the laser strikes could have resulted in a tragic accident.
TPA Executive Vice President of Operations John Tiliacos expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for their diligent work in apprehending Sollenberger. The suspect has been charged with misuse of a laser lighting device and is currently being held at the Orient Road Jail.
The Tampa Police Department released photos of the lasers pointed at airplanes, highlighting the dangerous nature of Sollenberger’s actions. Tiliacos reminded the public to never point a laser at an aircraft, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of flights.
