A man who shined a laser pointer at a Miami-Dade Police helicopter had more than a dozen stolen credit cards and identifications when cops caught up to him, officials said.

Michael Valle Pavo, 18, was arrested Thursday on charges including misuse of a laser lighting device, criminal mischief and 17 counts of fraudulent possession of personal identification and credit card forgery, Miami-Dade Police said.

He was being held on $30,500 bond Thursday and it was unknown if he has an attorney.

Police said the incident happened in the sky over West Miami-Dade Wednesday night.

"One of our pilots was handling a mission when he was struck by a laser," said Sgt. Chris Robaina, with Miami-Dade Police Aviation.

Police said it was Pavo who was driving his vehicle eastbound on Bird Road near the Florida's Turnpike when he flashed the pilot three separate times. The officer was able to spot Pavo's vehicle and called ground units.

"He was able to see where the laser had come from and was able to direct ground officers to the location and the subject was taken into custody," Robaina said.

The police report said Valle told officers "I did it one time and I didn't think it would go that far."

Robaina said directing the laser pointers into the helicopter's cockpit is dangerous for the pilot and those on the ground.

"It can cause blurriness, dizziness. It can incapacitate the pilot depending upon the level and the distance," he said. "Obviously, you are flying the helicopter, you lose control, you are going to come down and be a potential risk to the citizens of Dade county as well."

An NBC 6 Investigation in 2014 showed how those pointing lasers at aircraft is a growing danger. The federal government too has been stepping in an charging those arrested for violating federal aviation safety statues and Pavo may face the same fate.



In just the first two weeks of 2015, there were 180 incidents across the country, including 16 in Florida. Of those, six were in Miami-Dade and three in Broward.

"You are not going to get away. We are going to find out where you are," Robaina said. "They are not toys. They are a potential risk when you use them."