Woman Charged After Struggle With Ohio Responders

JEFFERSON, Ohio -- A Conneaut woman faces numerous misdemeanor charges after a violent struggle with police and firefighters late last week that began inside a Hiler Street home and continued at the police station, police reports show.

Arlene Laughlin, 30, of Hiler Street, has been charged with aggravated menacing (two counts), resisting arrest and aggravated disorderly conduct, a Municipal Court spokeswoman said. Laughlin was hospitalized after the incident, causing her to miss a Tuesday morning arraignment. She is scheduled to appear next week, the spokeswoman said.

Police gave this account of the incident:

At 3:50 a.m. Friday, police were sent to a Hiler Street address in response to a call of a woman in possession of a knife and -- moments later -- a gun. Upon arrival, police saw a man and woman struggling over a rifle or shotgun, which the man said was unloaded. Police entered the house and immediately began tussling with woman, who resisted attempts to handcuff her, officers said.

Held on the floor, the woman was secured, but she continued to try to kick, bite and head-butt officers. While being lifted to her feet by police, the woman began swinging her legs, striking Fire Capt. John Chapin in the face, officers said. Chapin did not appear to be injured and helped police remove the woman from the house.

She resumed aggressive behavior outside a police cruiser and once inside the vehicle began kicking and banging her head. The woman attempted to kick officers upon arrival at jail and was placed in a restraint chair, police said.

Copyright 2012 - Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio

McClatchy-Tribune News Service