Man arrested in Harlingen for aiming laser at DPS helicopter, DPS says

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man is behind bars for allegedly pointing a laser pointer at a police helicopter.

According to Cameron County Detention Center records, Pedro Cortina was arrested for shining a laser pointer on an aircraft, thereby impairing the operator’s ability to drive.

ValleyCentral spoke to Sergeant Maria Hernandez of the Texas Department of Public Safety, who said Cortina aimed a laser at a DPS helicopter in the area.

Video provided by DPS shows two people standing outside a car, with one of them pointing a green laser at the helicopter. At one point, one of the people reaches into the car, appears to pull out a firearm and point it at the helicopter.

Ground units responded and made contact with the suspect, identified as Cortina, in the 500 block of Taft Avenue. Officers determined the weapon was a pellet gun. Cortina was taken into custody and transported to the Cameron County Jail.

Cortina is a felon and is free on parole, DPS added. He is awaiting arraignment, according to records.