Laser Strike Leads to Arrest

Baltimore County police officers took a 50-year-old man into custody following multiple laser strikes on December 19, 2024. At approximately 9:45 p.m., members of the Baltimore County Police Department’s Aviation Unit encountered multiple laser strikes while flying eastbound along Eastern Avenue toward Martin State Airport. Using the onboard imaging system, officers identified the location of the strikes and alerted patrol officers. 

When patrol officers arrived in the 800 block of Rosedale Ave., they found 50-year-old Anthony R. Wolff, who was subsequently charged with recklessly engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to the officers. 

Just two days prior to Baltimore County’s incident, the Federal Aviation Administration reported a substantial uptick in laser strikes. As a reminder, laser strikes can incapacitate a pilot. Intentionally aiming lasers at aircraft poses a serious safety threat and is also a violation of federal law. In 2023, the FAA received 13,304 reports of  laser strikes.