Two men suspected of lighting up a Riverside County sheriff’s helicopter with a laser device were arrested, deputies said Sunday.

At about 7:10 p.m. Friday, the pilot of the helicopter reported that the cockpit was “illuminated several times by a high-powered laser device from a distance of one mile away,” according to Sgt. Mike Koehler.

Deputies later located the suspects near the intersection of Heacock Street and John F. Kennedy Drive, and identified them as Fernando Flores, 30, and Jesus Ceniceros-Acosta, 33, both residents of  Perris, Koehler said.

A laser pointing device capable of casting a beam of light approximately 1.5 miles was allegedly found in their possession, deputies said.

Both men were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center and were being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.

–City News Service

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