BERLIN (AP) – A man has been arrested in Berlin on charges of making radio contact with air traffic, including police helicopters, and giving false flight orders while imitating an aviation officer, police said on Friday. German.
The 32-year-old, whose identity has not been released under German privacy laws, was arrested Thursday night in the eastern district of Koepenick, police said.
Police managed to approach his apartment after he came in contact with a police helicopter that was sent to the neighborhood in the hope that they would take him out.
During a search of his home, police found two radios that were transmitting on the frequencies needed to make contact with the aircraft.
“For all those who asked about our operations with the Koepenick police helicopter, an unusual arrest,” the Berlin police wrote on Twitter, with a link to more details.
The man allegedly came into contact with pilots of passenger and transport planes, as well as state and federal police helicopters, in the last six months, giving “potentially dangerous” instructions and becoming more and more professional in his communications.
It is not known whether the accidents or other incidents were caused by his actions, police said.