CLARKSTON, WA – A 38-year-old Clarkston man who allegedly aimed a laser at a Life Flight helicopter from the top of a three-vehicle garage in the 3500 block of Quailridge Drive at about 12:20 a.m. Monday morning has been arrested. According to a Probable Cause Affidavit filed in Asotin County, the helicopter’s pilot said he and his crew were flying from Clarkston to the Lewiston airport when a green laser beam hit the aircraft up to 10 times for a total of about 15 seconds.
Tyson Romaneschi was booked into the Asotin County Jail on charges of Unlawful Discharge of a Laser, Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Eluding, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, and Driving While License Suspended-3rd.
The FAA says lasers pose a danger to aircraft. Read more HERE.
The pilot told an Asotin County Sheriff’s deputy that he removed his goggles and informed crew members to do the same to avoid “blinding effects” from the laser. He then instructed his co-pilot to make several maneuvers, “including banking right, left, and slowing the aircraft down as the laser continued to strike the aircraft,” the affidavit says.
The pilot reportedly said he knew the “million dollar home” because he often golfed near it.
After providing the details to the deputy, another deputy reported at 12:50 a.m. that he was in the area where the laser allegedly came from. The affidavit says he reported seeing a green laser projected from the garage’s west side, the same that the helicopter pilot had described.
The two deputies approached the garage and knocked on the door, the court document says. The individual, later identified as Romaneschi, refused to answer the law enforcement officers.
“I then stood upon a patio chair that was rested directly in front of x2 glass widows that had a clear survey of the interior of the garage. I observed a single male occupant of the garage wearing a black t-shirt with white lettering and black shorts,” a deputy says in the affidavit. “I had a clear visiual of the fully lit garage, vehicles, and property.”
The affidavit says for several minutes, Romaneschi refused to exit or cooperate.
“I observed Tyson yell and argue as he paced back and forth [across] the interior of the garage,” the affidavit says, adding that the man made vulgar comments and motions toward the deputies.
The deputies left the area due to a staff shortage to assist with obtaining and serving a search warrant at that hour. Instead, they gathered witness reports from the Life Flight crew members and filed for an arrest warrant.
Last night, Romaneschi’s car was located on Critchfield Road. He allegedly led three law enforcement cruisers on a high-speed pursuit toward his residence on Quailridge Drive, where he stopped and went into the garage. The affidavit says the deputies were able to pursue Romaneschi by foot and held him at gunpoint while he was placed into handcuffs. He reportedly continued showing resistance as he was led out to a deputy’s cruiser.
The laser allegedly used on the Life Flight helicopter was reported to have been found in an open toolbox inside the garage after Romaneschi’s mother – Karey – had given a deputy permission to search for it.
After transporting Romaneschi to the Asotin County Jail, it was discovered that he allegedly had “shards” of methamphetamine in a small baggie within his sock.
