Authorities arrested a man they say pointed a blue laser at the Tampa police helicopter early Sunday.

Mark A. White, 40, was charged with the felony offense of targeting an aircraft with a laser, The FBI is also investigating the case in consideration of federal charges, police said.

The helicopter was targeted around 3:40 a.m., and patrol units were able to locate where the beam originated from. They found White in possession of a blue laser in a backyard at 10712 N. Central Avenue, police said.

White had been arrested several times perviously on drug charges, according to court records.