COLUMBUS – A Columbus man was arrested Saturday night after a Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy observed him aiming a laser at his patrol vehicle.
The Sheriff’s office received several reports over the last week regarding someone aiming a laser at an aircraft in the Columbus Municipal Airport area.
Another report came in Saturday night, prompting a Sheriff’s Deputy to be dispatched to the airport. However, the Deputy was unable to find the source of the laser.
Twenty minutes later, while traveling on US 31 near I-65, the deputy observed a green laser emitting from a black passenger car. The laser was pointed at the deputy’s patrol car at that time.
After a traffic stop, the driver was identified as 49-year-old Christopher Clem. During the investigation, two laser devices were found, along with meth and crushed prescription painkillers.
The Deputy also recovered a handgun in Clem’s vehicle.
Clem admitted to the deputy that he aimed a laser at planes flying overhead.
Clem was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail, where he is being held on charges of pointing a laser at a public safety officer, possession of meth, and possession and dealing a controlled substance. All charges are enhanced due to Clem having a firearm.
The United States Air Marshalls and Federal Aviation Administration continue to investigate at a federal level.
