NEW YORK – State Police have charged a Middletown man with pointing a laser at a State Police aircraft as a felony.
Samuel Colaj Ventura, 22, allegedly directed a laser beam at a State Police aircraft during the landing process in Manhattan. The laser beam crossed into the eyes of the pilot and co-pilot causing them to abort the landing.
Following an investigation, Ventura was identified as the person involved; he was arrested and issued a desk appearance ticket returnable to Manhattan Criminal Court.
Assisting New York State Police in the investigation were the North Plainfield, Plainfield and Branchburg Township Police Departments in New Jersey.