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Woman allegedly drove into officer

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Sheriff’s deputies arrested a woman on suspicion of attempted murder after she struck a bicycle patrol officer with her SUV in a parking lot at John Wayne Airport, officials said Wednesday.

Rebecca McLaughlin, 48, of Irvine, hit the Orange County Sheriff’s Department special officer on bike patrol at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday on the third floor of the A-2 parking structure, authorities said.

The bike patrol officer heard a crashing noise in the parking structure and went to check it out, sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

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A witness pointed to McLaughlin, who was in a dark-colored SUV, as the source of the noise, he said.

McLaughlin then allegedly backed up and repositioned the vehicle so it was pointed at the officer.

She then struck the officer, who was propelled onto the hood of the SUV, and then ran over the officer’s bike, Hallock said.

The SUV traveled a few feet and stopped after hitting a raised curb, where there was a parking ticket dispenser.

The officer got off the hood and arrested the driver, Hallock said.

McLaughlin was booked into jail on suspicion of attempted murder and an outstanding warrant, Hallock said.

“It appears, based on the investigation, her actions were intentional,” Hallock said.

The officer was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries and released, he said.

The parking structure had some damage, according to JWA spokeswoman Jenny Wedge.

McLaughlin is scheduled to appear in court Thursday. She is being held in Orange County Jail in lieu of $502,500 bail, according OCSD online records.

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