The New Jersey State Police have arrested a man who allegedly pointed a laser at a New Jersey State Police Helicopter in Bass River Township, Burlington County.

On Wednesday, May 5, at approximately 10:42 p.m., troopers from Troop “C” Tuckerton Station and the State Police Aviation Unit were assisting the Toms River Township Police Department with locating a missing person.

While Aviation Troopers were searching the area from the air, they observed that someone pointed a laser at their aircraft. Trooper I Michael Jiampetti and Trooper I Brian Harper immediately identified a suspect on the ground who was in the area where the laser came from as he entered a vehicle and fled the scene. Troopers Jiampetti and Harper advised troopers on the ground of the location of the suspect as they observed the vehicle travel onto the Garden State Parkway.

Trooper Matthew Hamilton observed the suspect’s vehicle on the Garden State Parkway northbound and conducted a motor vehicle stop at milepost 61 in Eagleswood Township, Ocean County. During the stop, Jordan Prutzman, 32, of Tuckerton, N.J. admitted to pointing a laser at the aircraft and was arrested without incident.

Jordan Prutzman was charged with interference with transportation and released pending a future court date. Federal charges are pending in this investigation.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.