What started as a late-night backyard hangout on the Hilltop ended with a man in handcuffs and a Columbus police helicopter crew allegedly lit up by a green laser, according to court records.
Police say the aviation unit was flying late Friday when a green beam hit the cockpit area, prompting the crew to radio that they were being illuminated and to track the source of the light. Using infrared equipment, they homed in on a backyard near the Hilltop and guided officers on the ground to the scene. Court records identify the suspect as Vitalii Smalko, who officers say was arrested after they found a laser device on him.
Video released by the Columbus Division of Police shows a man aiming a green laser from behind a tree while several people stand around a bonfire, as reported by 10TV. The recording appears to show the beam striking the helicopter cockpit, followed by the crew reacting over the radio. Officers say that after they detained Smalko, a search turned up a laser in his pocket. Prosecutors are relying on that video and the court filings to describe how the aviation crew helped steer ground units straight to the yard.
How crews traced the beam
The helicopter was flying in the area of Sullivant Avenue and Wedgewood Drive at about 11:43 p.m. when the cockpit was hit by a green beam, WHIO reports. Relying on night-vision and infrared imaging, the aviation crew tracked the beam back to its source and coordinated with nearby patrol officers, who detained a man in a yard close by.
That kind of air-to-ground coordination has been key to several recent prosecutions in Ohio involving laser strikes on aircraft, with helicopter crews acting as both victims and real-time guides for responding officers.
State and federal penalties
Ohio law does not treat laser strikes as a harmless prank. Knowingly directing a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft is a felony, and Ohio Revised Code §2909.081 classifies the offense as a second-degree felony.
At the federal level, authorities also view laser strikes as serious crimes. The FBI notes that the FAA can impose civil penalties, commonly cited as up to $11,000 per violation, and that criminal cases can bring prison time and substantial fines when pursued in federal court (FBI Cleveland).
Court calendar and next steps
Court records show Smalko has been arraigned and given a $25,000 bond, with his next hearing set for May 26, according to filings and reporting by 10TV. He remains in the Franklin County Jail as prosecutors work up the case.
Whether the matter stays a state-level prosecution or draws federal interest will depend on what investigators find and whether there is any indication of repeated or aggravated conduct.
Why it matters
Laser strikes are not just a local headache. Pilots reported roughly 10,994 laser-strike incidents to the FAA in 2025, a figure that keeps aviation officials and pilot groups on alert. Bright green beams can temporarily blind or disorient crews at critical moments, raising the risk of midair problems that could affect people in the air and on the ground.
General Aviation News notes that, even as incidents have dropped for a second straight year, the FAA and law enforcement continue outreach and enforcement efforts to clamp down on a trend they say is anything but a victimless stunt.
