By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Broadway location last week on reports of an assault.

Upon arrival, the officers spoke with Jose Dubon, who explained that he had given $10 to another man, Luciano Delira, to pay for some food.

After a few minutes, Delira returned to the bus stop where the three were seated without the food. He reportedly acted as if nothing had happened.

Dubon confronted Delira about the missing food, and at this time Delira allegedly struck Dubon over the head two to three times with a large wooden stick that he carries.

The two men wrestled on the ground until they were separated. Eventually, Delira left the area with the stick. A witness who was with the two men corroborated Dubon’s statement.

The officers requested an ambulance to assess any injuries which Dubon may have sustained. He declined any medical treatment on scene.

While Dubon was having his injuries evaluated, he pointed across the street and pointed out Delira, who appeared to an animated individual who was yelling and waving his arms.

The officers approached Delira and asked him to to explain what had occurred. He reportedly stated that he was at the park with Dubon and the witness when Dubon started an argument with him.

Delira said that at one point, Dubon removed a knife and swung it at him. Delira then spit on the ground to show the officers that he was bleeding from his mouth. The officers observed a very small cut on the side of Delira’s tongue.

The officers asked Delira to describe the knife that Dubon allegedly was in possession of. He stated it was a black knife and used his hands to show the size, which was approximately 6-8 inches.

Upon learning this information, the officers walked Delira across the street to be evaluated separately by for his injury. Delira also declined any medical treatment.

While Delira was being evaluated, the officers asked Dubon if he had a knife on him. He stated he did and it was in his pocket motioning towards his front left pocket. An officers patted the exterior of the pocket and could feel what he believed to be a knife. He retrieved an all-black folding knife, matching Delira’s description.

Due to the statements made by all parties involved, the officers placed both Dubon and Delira under arrest and had them transported to the police station where they were each booked on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.