The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that they were alerted to a suspect who was in possession of meth, after the suspect continuously shined a laser pointer at a police helicopter.

The incident was reported around midnight on Monday, February 15th in the 3700 block of 74th Ave.

Officials told units on the ground that they were hit by a high-powered laser three times and were able to give the coordinates of the area from which the laser came from.

When authorities went to the area, they made contact with Stephen Gladu. The suspect told them that he and his partner were just out watching the stars. Authorities then inquired if  Gladu was using a laser pointer.  Gladu admitted that he did have a laser pointer but that he was just pointing it around and not at a helicopter. When authorities searched his person, they found the laser pointer and a bag of meth in his pocket.

Gladu has since been arrested and is facing charges of misuse of a laser pointer and possession of a controlled substance.