OKC Police Arrest Man Accused Of Pointing Laser At Air One

An Oklahoma City man is accused of doing something in a fast-food restaurant drive-thru that could land him federal prison time.  The camera inside Oklahoma City Police Helicopter “Air One” recorded it all. 

Police say 23-year-old William Ernst was the front-seat passenger of a sedan that was in the Whataburger drive-thru line on 52^nd and May around 1:30 Saturday morning.  “Air One” video clearly shows Ernst point a green laser at the police helicopter several times.  Police say pointing a laser at an aircraft can blind the pilot and cause major safety problems, and is a Federal offense. 

7/7/15 Related Story: Man Arrested In OKC For Pointing Laser At Police Helicopter

Police on the ground quickly caught up to Ernst and the woman who was driving the white sedan he was riding in.  Police arrested Ernst for public intoxication and two felonies. 

He has bonded out of the Oklahoma County Jail, but he wasn’t home when News 9 stopped by Wednesday afternoon. 

A woman who said she was a family member told News 9 she’s not convinced Ernst is guilty of anything. “All the comments that they’re saying about him being a thug, that’s not true.  He’s a momma’s boy, and he loves my mom.  He has a high school diploma.  He’s not a thug, he doesn’t have any kids.”