Rockford Scanner

Email: RockfordScanner@gmail.com
Current information that has been provided to us

ISP – ILLINOIS STATE POLICE MAKES ARREST IN CONNECTION
WITH AIRCRAFT BEING TARGETED WITH A LASER POINTER
CHICAGO – On June 22, 2023, the Illinois State Police (ISP) arrested 36-year-old Saul Martinez
Castanon of Berkeley, Illinois, who is suspected of pointing a laser pointer at aircraft flying
overhead. These laser pointers have been a national issue for aviators for several years. When
pointed into an aircraft cockpit, the light can temporarily blind pilots as they navigate busy airspace
or land the aircraft.

“Targeting aircraft with a laser pointer creates a safety threat that can put the lives of hundreds of
passengers at risk,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Our ISP Air Operations did a
phenomenal job identifying the source of the light and working with officers on the ground to
arrest the suspect.”

At approximately 9:45 Thursday evening, ISP Air-6 Troopers, a spotter and pilot, were
participating in Special Operations Group Operation Safe Drive. While in the air, they reported
being contacted by a hand-held device that emits amplified light (laser pointer) from the
ground. Troopers used the aircraft camera and identified a residential yard in the 1200 block of
Sunnyside Drive in Berkeley as the likely source of the light. Intelligence from the Federal
Aviation Administration revealed several aircraft departing from Chicago O’Hare International
Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport, including commercial aircraft carrying
hundreds of passengers, reported the same issue from a similar geographic origin.

ISP Statewide Anti-Violence Enforcement Unit Troopers on the ground and the Berkeley Police
Department were alerted and arrived at the residence where they took Martinez Castanon into
custody without incident. Martinez Castanon was charged with two counts of misdemeanor
Disorderly Conduct (Laser Pointer vs. Law Enforcement Officer and Laser Pointer vs. Aircraft).
No further information will be disseminated.
Video taken from the plane can be found at
https://youtu.be/FlDjj9kxrFY.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK!
Thank you in advance for your donation!

SUPPORT ROCKFORD SCANNER
Thank you in advance for your donation!

See it, Snap it, Send it
SEE IT: See a scene or something of interest
SNAP IT: Pull our your camera and film
SEND IT: RockfordScanner@Gmail.com

Checkout one of the best
Police scanner on the market!

If you see an error.
Please let us know right away!
We strive for accuracy.

*** A simple anonymous email saying ***
Hey that is not what happened.
But this “IS” what happened…
Email us at
RockfordScanner@gmail.com

Simple communication and transparency,
Would eliminate any misinformation or exaggerations.

Our content is for entertainment purposes only.
Informative entertainment.

All the information posted is our own personal opinions.
Our opinions on what allegedly may have possibly have happened.
Based on the information that was currently provided to us, at the time of posting it.
We strongly recommend you doing your own research, and forming your own opinion.
We are protected by the 1st amendment.
Everyone is innocent, until proven guilty in a court of law.
We can not guarantee the accuracy of our content.
Information is very dynamic. You must read and agree to our terms.
If you do not agree with our terms, please leave now.
If you know of any corrections, please contact us right away.
RockfordScanner@gmail.com