A Lacombe man has been charged by police after he pointed a laser at the cockpit of the Edmonton police helicopter Wednesday night.

38-year-old Alvin Bautista has been charged with interfering with the safe operation of an aircraft under the Federal Aeronautics Act.

Around 10:30 p.m., the Edmonton police helicopter, AIR-1 was operating in the area of 106 Street and Whitemud Drive when a laser beam was directed into the cockpit.

The laser continued to be directed at the helicopter as the flight crew traced the beam back to a suspect vehicle near 38 Avenue and Mill Woods Road.

"They were startled and temporarily blinded by the incident," said Staff Sgt. Chris Barbar with the Edmonton Police Service.

The chopper continued to monitor the suspect's vehicle while calling in ground officers to assist. The vehicle was the pulled over near 34 Avenue and 91 Street where the suspect was arrested.

If convicted, Bautista could face a $100,000 fine and five years in prison.