2 Arrested, 1 Wanted, After Pointing Laser at Mississippi River Tug
Pointing lasers at commercial vehicles and aircraft is serious business. In 2005 a New Jersey man was charged under the Patriot Act and plead guilty after shining one at an airliner over Newark. Not sure if any law would be applicable when the target is a river tug and barge, but shining a laser at one no doubt poses major risks.
Three people were arrested in Downtown Memphis today after shining blinding green laser beams at tow boats, a police helicopter, an airplane and officers. Matthew Mauck, 33, and David Erminger, 27, were found with two lasers on the roof of the Pembroke Square Apartments at 125 Gayoso earlier today, said police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph. The men appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, Rudolph said. They were charged with four counts of pointing a laser at law enforcement officers. Todd Manz, 43, was also arrested on the roof, but was released after he falsely claimed he did not participate in shining the lasers, Rudolph said. Investigators later found he was responsible for shining the laser at a tow boat on the Mississippi River. He was not in police custody Saturday at 6:30 p.m., Rudolph said. He is wanted for false reporting.
The three defendants could also face federal charges for pointing the lasers at the boats and aircraft, Rudolph said. Police first received reports of a beam hitting tug boats and other vessels traveling the Mississippi River about two weeks ago, Rudolph said. Officers tracked the beam to the defendants after two tug boat operators told the Coast Guard that a green beam was coming from a building in the Downtown area at about 1 a.m. today. When police officers and air support responded to the area, the beam illuminated two officers at Front Street and Union Avenue, who took cover from expected gunfire, the police affidavit states. The beam then hit a helicopter pilot in the face and another officer, the document adds. While taking the suspects into custody, officers learned that a green beam had also been seen at the Memphis International Airport the night before, Rudolph said. A commercial aircraft pilot said a green laser beam was pointed at the cockpit while he was landing the plane.
Mauck and Erminger were in the Shelby County Jail on $100 bonds Saturday afternoon. Manz was also in jail, although his bond was not immediately available.
