SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo man was arrested Tuesday night after allegedly shining a green laser at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter during an active police operation.
According to DPS, the Aircraft Operations Division (AOD) was assisting the San Angelo Police Department on June 24, 2025, when the aircraft was struck by a laser. The aircrew shielded their eyes and began searching for the suspect, who was located and arrested by Texas Highway Patrol troopers.
Emilio Gabriel Partida, 45, of San Angelo, was booked into the Tom Green County Jail on a charge of "Illuminating an Aircraft with a Laser Pointer Impairing Operator," a Class A misdemeanor. Jail records show he was released the following day on a $7,500 surety bond.
In Texas, pointing a laser at an aircraft can lead to misdemeanor charges and, if the beam impairs a pilot’s ability to operate the aircraft, the offense may be elevated. Such actions can also result in federal penalties and fines.
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