The Secret Service arrested a man on suspicion of pointing a laser pointer at the presidential helicopter as it was leaving the White House with President Donald Trump on board, according to a criminal complaint filed on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident occurred on Saturday evening, when uniformed Secret Service agent Diego Santiago noticed a shirtless man \u201ctalking to himself and making noise\u201d on Constitution Avenue, near the Ellipse, court documents state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDue to poor lighting on the sidewalk, Agent Santiago illuminated the suspect with his flashlight for further observation,\u201d the complaint says. The suspect then \u201cdirected and shined a red laser beam into Agent Santiago\u2019s face, apparently in retaliation. The red beam struck the agent\u2019s eyes and briefly disoriented him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Santiago approached the man, later identified as Jakob Samuel Winkler, who \u201cpointed the same red laser at the presidential helicopter and activated it,\u201d according to the complaint. Santiago stated that he knew such behavior posed a \u201cdanger to the helicopter and everyone on board,\u201d as it could cause \u201ctemporary blindness and disorientation of the pilot, especially during low-altitude flight near other helicopters and the Washington Monument, placing the helicopter at risk of an aerial collision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The agent detained the man, confiscated the laser, and handcuffed him. The suspect then knelt down and began saying: \u201cI should apologize to Donald Trump\u201d and \u201cI apologize to Donald Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n