Menifee man accused of pointing laser at local aircraft

An investigation lasting more than three months has resulted in the arrest of a Menifee man accused of pointing a laser device at aircraft pilots, authorities said Wednesday.

George Tucker, 56, was booked at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on a charge of discharging a laser at an aircraft. He was arrested after investigators with the Sheriff's Department served a search warrant at a residence in the 25000 block of Interlechen Drive in Menifee on Wednesday. They located several laser devices at the residence.

The investigation began May 2, when deputies responded to reports of pilots being affected by a laser emitting device. The strikes occurred in the area of Sun City Boulevard and Murrieta Road, according to a news release. Pilots with the department's Aviation Bureau reported that incident.

Over the next three months, additional laser strikes were reported and the investigation led detectives to the location where Wednesday's arrest was made.

Pointing laser emitting devices toward aircraft is a state and federal crime.