DAYTON — A 33-year-old Dayton man is facing a felony charge after police said he hit an OSHP aviation unit with a laser, according to court records.
Matthew Clemons is charged with interfering with operation of aircraft with a laser.
>> Dayton Children’s Hospital protesters argue against vaccine mandate; hospital backs its decision
State troopers were assisting Dayton police during a gun reduction operation around 10 p.m. Tuesday, when a green laser hit the OSHP helicopter from the ground, court records said.
Video obtained by News Center 7 from the patrol’s aircraft shows the laser light up the camera being used for the surveillance operation.
“The pilot and crew located the areas and vehicle the laser beam had come from,” an affidavit read. “Dayton police located a vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on said vehicle.”
A green laser pointed was spotted by officers in the front cupholder of the vehicle.
Clemons admitted in an interview “to buying the laser pointer to stop aircraft from following him, and admitted to pointing the laser beam at he helicopter more than a handful of times prior to being stopped by police.”
>> Kyle Park reopens after bomb threat, dispute over dogs prompts police investigation
Clemons appeared in court Thursday and was appointed a public defender. His bond was set at $20,000.
Clemons is the second person since July 2 in Dayton that has been charged with hitting an aircraft with a laser.
Nicolas Alexander Sanchez-Escobar, 45, of Jefferson Twp. after police said he hit an OSHP aviation unit with a laser on July 2.
“While flying, the plane was struck with a high intensity laser beam multiple times,” a court affidavit said. “The Tactical Flight Officer was able to follow the laser to the address.”
OSHP aircraft video footage showed the crime happening and then shows at least a half dozen cruisers swarm the house to arrest Sanchez-Escobar.
©2021 Cox Media Group
