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The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a 20yearold man on April 4 for shining a laser light into the office's helicopter, the office has reported. About 11:45 p.m. on April 4, a news release says, deputies responded to a report of a large group of people partying on Siesta Public Beach in the area of 5900 Midnight Pass Road. Upon arrival, they observed more than 500 people, mainly juveniles, in a group on the beach, the release adds. Deputies then saw several small fights under way "and began to break up the altercations," the release notes. After the Sheriff's Office helicopter arrived to assist and monitor the activity with the use of forwardlooking infrared equipment and a camera, one of the men in the crowd "began to shine a green laser light onto the helicopter and into the cockpit," the release continues. Deputies operating the helicopter were able to direct deputies on the ground to the man's location, so they could arrest him, the release says. The man, identified as Aroldo Castaneda of 2900 Oak St., Sarasota, was charged with one felony count of Misuse of Laser Lighting Devices, the release adds. Anyone with information about the inci dent is encouraged to call the Criminal Investigations Section at 8614900, leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 366TIPS (8477) or go online at sarasotacrimestoppers.com. MAN ARRESTED FOR MISUSE OF LASER LIGHTING DEVICE ON SIESTA KEY In March, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office made 10 DUI arrests and issued two citations to people under the age of 21 for driving after consuming alcohol but not being criminally impaired, the office has reported. It issued another 154 citations for other traf fic offenses, a news release says. The office conducts monthly saturation patrols "to remove dangerous, uninsured or impaired drivers from local roadways to keep motorists safe," the release points out. "Because of the commitment to keep the public aware of these ongoing education and enforcement efforts, results are provided at the end of each month and dates for the next month's activity are announced," it notes. The March numbers do not include DUI arrests "made outside of these specific initia tives," the release explains. Saturation patrols are conducted instead of what is referred to as a "DUI checkpoint," it adds. They include a number of Patrol and Traffic division deputies working targeted zones at the same time to monitor driving activity. Saturation patrols are mobile and take place in different areas of the county, the release points out. Saturation patrols will be conducted on April 12, 19 and 26, the release says. "This initia tive is conducted in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and supported through a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)," it concludes. 10 DUI ARRESTS MADE DURING MARCH SATURATION PATROLS Sarasota News Leader April 11, 2014 Page 81