Pierce County woman arrested for shining laser at State Patrol aircraft
A Pierce County woman is accused of shining a green laser at a Washington State Patrol aircraft Friday night in the Parkland area.
Deputies learned around 10:30 p.m. from WSP that a person on the ground was targeting an agency aircraft with the laser. The person was reportedly in a backyard. Court documents show the aircraft was helping deputies conduct a street-racing emphasis patrol.
The woman continued to shine the laser at the aircraft while deputies were dispatched. The woman allegedly ran into the house when deputies arrived, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post. The woman eventually came out of the house and was arrested.
The post said the woman allegedly made excuses to avoid going to jail, including pretending to having medical issues. Fire department personnel arrived and cleared the woman of any issues.
The woman fell on the ground as a last effort to avoid going to jail, according to the post. The woman was taken to a hospital and medically cleared. She then was booked into the Pierce County Jail on first-degree suspicion of unlawful discharge of a laser and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Prosecutors charged the woman with first-degree unlawful discharge of a laser, according to court records.
She appeared for an arraignment Monday afternoon at the Pierce County Superior Court. A plea of not guilty was entered on her behalf. Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille ordered the woman be released on personal recognizance.
Court records show her next hearing is scheduled for April 21.
The woman does not have any criminal convictions but has active warrants out of Fife Municipal Court, according to court documents.
