Rodrigo Torrejon
NJ Advance Media
NEW YORK — A New York Police Department helicopter chased down two Bergen teenagers after one of them aimed a high-powered laser at the chopper, authorities said.
At about 9:22 p.m. Wednesday, a 16-year-old from Cliffside Park and a 17-year-old from Little Ferry went to a high point on Cecelia Place, in Cliffside Park, and pointed a high-powered green laser at a NYPD helicopter patrolling over the Hudson River, said Bill Maer, the borough spokesman.
The NYPD helicopter was able to pinpoint where the laser was coming from and identify the two teens by the car they were driving, said NYPD Detective Martin Brown. After tracking the teens down, the chopper hovered around the area where they were until Cliffside Park Police arrived, said Maer.
The duo were apprehended and charged with multiple crimes, including second-degree interference with transport, third-degree aggravated assault on a police officer and obstructing governmental action, said Maer. The teens were released to their parents Wednesday night, he said.
There were no injuries reported to any NYPD officer, said Brown.
Along with Cliffside Park Police, the Federal Aviation Administration and an FBI field office were called to investigate, said Maer.