News Helicopters Report Being Targeted by Lasers in New York Area, FAA Investigating

— -- The pilots of three news helicopters said they were targeted by lasers in the New York-area Wednesday night and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the alleged incidents.

The reports came as the FAA confirmed that three aircraft were targeted by a laser in the Dallas-area around the same time: two commercial jets and a private business jet.

The agency said that a chopper for ABC-owned station WABC reported being targeted near Newark International Airport at 5:20 p.m.

WNBC reported an incident about 6 miles southwest of LaGuardia Airport around 5 p.m., the FAA said.

“The pilots of two New York City television news helicopters told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that lasers were pointed at their aircraft tonight," the FAA said in a statement. "The FAA notified local authorities and will investigate."

According to WNBC, their chopper was heading to downtown Brooklyn to cover a story when they were targeted. WCBS was reportedly heading to the same area to cover the story when they were also targeted.

WNBC saidit zoomed in on the men pointing the laser, allowing authorities to take two people into custody.

The NYPD says it has made several official arrests.

One person was arrested and charged with two counts of reckless endangerment relating to the incident in Brooklyn. Another man was arrested at the same time.

WABC said it was able to stay in the air until police apprehended the suspect. Police in Elizabeth, New Jersey, told WABC that one person has been taken into custody in relation to the incident near Newark Airport.

It is unclear whether the incidents reported by WABC or WNBC are connected.

In the Dallas cases, the FAA said that all of the planes were flying around 3,000 to 4,000 feet and appeared to be targeted by a laser coming from 11 miles southwest of the airport.