Swampscott abuse suspect caught after search by K-9

SWAMPSCOTT – After a two-hour search involving a police K-9 for a domestic abuse suspect, a lone Swampscott police officer found the suspect right under his nose.Police say Kathleen McLaughlin, 45, of 63 Suffolk Ave., Swampscott, got into a heated argument with her husband outside their home and bit his ear.The husband told police an argument between he and his wife spilled from their house into the driveway at about 8:30 p.m. He got on his bicycle and was about to leave when McLaughlin allegedly struggled with him and ultimately bit his ear.The man told his wife he was about to call 911 when she fled the area, police said.Police could be heard on radio transmissions Wednesday night alerting neighboring police departments and searching known areas where McLaughlin might have gone. They even called in a K-9.After two hours of searching to no avail, police decided to call off the search. However, Officer Brian Wilson was told to stay at McLaughlin’s house in the event that she returned.It turns out, McLaughlin didn’t go very far.Approximately two minutes after all the other police officers left the area, Wilson heard rustling in the bushes across the street from McLaughlin’s home, according to a police report.It was McLaughlin.The officer was holding a less-lethal pepper ball gun when he ordered her to the ground and placed her under arrest. The weapon was never used.According to the police report, McLaughlin said she ran away because she was scared. She was arrested and charged with mayhem, domestic assault and battery and disturbing the peace.McLaughlin was arrested in June 2008 when living in Marblehead and charged with three counts of violating a restraining order and misdemeanor breaking and entering at 63 Suffolk Ave., where she currently lives.- Debra Glidden contributed to this report.