Regina man charged after police plane struck with laser

Steve Wyatt (Pilot) of the Regina Police Service Aerial Support Unit. (Gareth Dillistone / CTV News)

A Regina man is facing a criminal charge after allegedly pointing a laser at the Regina Police Service’s (RPS) plane while it was flying over the city.

The plane was out on patrol on Saturday when it was hit with a laser just before 10 p.m., according to RPS.

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Officers aboard the plane were then able to quickly pinpoint the suspect using their instruments.

The service said the man was found hiding behind an umbrella in the backyard of a home on the 2100 block of Francis Street.

Officers on the ground responded to the home and arrested the suspect.

The 62-year-old man been charged with mischief endangering life and is scheduled to appear in Regina Provincial Court on June 24.

“Pointing a laser at an aircraft poses a serious risk to the safety of those on board. It also endangers citizens below if the plane should crash as a result,” RPS said in a news release Monday.

“The Regina Police Service investigates reports of laser strikes on aircraft and will hold offenders accountable. Under the Criminal Code, the charge of Mischief Endangering Life carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.”

According to the service, the air unit took 50 calls for service over the weekend, including ones related to impaired driving, evading police and weapons offences.