MESS AROUND AND FIND OUT: Shooting Suspect Arrested After Flashing Laser at Helicopter Pilot Multiple Times

By  //  January 4, 2023

Beolet was transported to the Iron Bar Lodge and held on a $2,000 bond

While “Blinded by the Light” at one time was a hit song, now it’s a guaranteed one-way trip to Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge when you choose to temporarily blind one of our helicopter pilots by pointing a laser at them. (BCSO image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – While “Blinded by the Light” at one time was a hit song, now it’s a guaranteed one-way trip to Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge when you choose to temporarily blind one of our helicopter pilots by pointing a laser at them.

Last night while “STAR,” our Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter, was assisting the Palm Bay Police Department with locating a suspect in a shooting investigation, Dean Beolet decided to shine a laser at our aircraft multiple times because I guess he thought it made him look really cool or something!

Not only did the laser put officers from the Palm Bay Police Department in harm’s way as it impacted the equipment our team was utilizing to search for the armed suspect, but it also put our flight crew in immediate danger as the laser refracted through our pilots night goggles temporarily blinding him and blurring his vision.

The impact on his vision was so significant that he had to immediately turn the controls over to our Tactical Flight Officer, who thankfully, on this particular flight crew is also a pilot, or this situation could have been even worse.

As a result of the incident, our crew was able to direct our great partners at the Palm Bay Police Department to the exact location Beolet deployed the laser, where they took him into custody on one count of “Felony Misuse of a Laser Light” and one count of “Being A Moron” who put multiple Law Enforcement Officers and citizens live’s at risk.

Beolet was transported to the Iron Bar Lodge, where he was held on a $2,000 bond.

You would think by now, criminals in Brevard County would understand the concept of “Mess Around And Find Out” but I guess some of them need to find out the hard way.

On a positive note, Pilot Brandon McIntyre was checked out earlier today by the optometrist and is cleared to fly following the incident.

Also a huge “thank you” to the Palm Bay Police Department for their amazing partnership and assistance with locating and arresting Beolet.

– Sheriff Wayne Ivey

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