By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to a South Street residence Sunday night on a report of a fight in progress.

Upon their arrival the officers were met by the alleged victim, while another man stood in a hallway, reportedly bleeding from his hand. Emergency services were called in and the bleeding man, who called himself “Mr. Tan,” was transported to Cambridge Hospital for treatment, according to police.

The other man stated that the two of them had been playing cards when an argument over the game broke out, police said. According to the victim’s statement, Mr. Tan picked up a chair as the argument escalated and attempted to strike him with it, but he was able to grab the chair to prevent it from hitting him.

The victim further claimed that “Mr. Tan” then went into the kitchen and returned with two knives, but that he used the chair to block “Tan’s” attempts at stabbing him, police said. According to the victim, “Tan’s” hand was injured while he made attempts at stabbing him, and “Tan” dropped the knives as the victim pinned him to the wall with the chair.

“Tan” was interviewed by police at the hospital, and official reports state that he appeared to be intoxicated at the time and seemed to smell of alcohol.

“Tan” claimed that he was the one who was initially attacked and only used the chair and knives in self-defense, as the alleged victim is much larger than he is, police said.

“Tan” was placed under arrest and charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon to wit a knife. A fingerprint match later revealed that the man’s actual identity is Ricardo Perez, 25, of Somerville. He was additionally charged with furnishing a false name.