By Jim Clark

Somerville police officers were dispatched to a Broadway location last Friday afternoon on reports of an assault.

Dispatch advised the officers that a man with a beard and a backpack had thrown beer cans at another man and that the suspect had fled down Wheatland St.

Upon their arrival, the officers recognized the suspect as Chris Hicks, who they were familiar with from past interactions.

Hicks reportedly began arguing with the officers and eventually took off running down Wheatland Street.

The officers advised dispatch of this and made chase. They were able to catch Hicks, who then was taken to the ground after striking one of the officers in the chest, just below the throat with a closed fist.

During this struggle one of the officer’s shoulders was pulled from the socket. Another officer deployed his pepper spray and they were able to handcuff Hicks.

Medical aid was asked for Hicks and the assaulted officer. Water from the cruiser was retrieved to pour on Hicks’ face as he was requesting it due to the pepper spray.

The victim of the initial assault stated that he had gotten out of the car in the Winter Hill Market parking lot and saw Hicks standing on the sidewalk and appeared to be “out of it.”

The victim asked Hicks if he was okay and he noticed he was drinking a beer. He told Hicks that he should not be drinking out in public and walked towards the New Dragon Star Restaurant, then noticed Hicks following him.

When the victim exited the restaurant, Hicks reportedly threatened to kill him, and threw an open beer can at him, just missing and hitting the car, splashing him with beer.

When officers looked for the beer can it was not found, however the victim’s shirt was wet and they could smell the beer on him.

Hicks was transported to Cambridge Hospital per his request and the injured officer was also transported there.

Hicks was subsequently booked on charges of resisting arrest, assault and battery on a public employee, assault with a dangerous weapon, and on warrant charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, indecent exposure, furnishing a false ID to arresting officer, assault and battery with a bodily substance, assault and battery on a disabled or person over 60, assault and battery, assault and battery on a correction officer, and assault.