By Jim Clark 

A reported case of assault was investigated last week as Somerville police officers responded to a call claiming that a man had committed an assault and was on Washington Street, sitting in a pickup truck.

Responding officers spotted the truck and as they engaged their emergency lights the man reportedly exited the vehicle and approached the police cruiser. The man was asked to stand near his truck and reportedly responded by saying, “Go ahead, arrest me. I know that is why you are here,” according to police. The man was then handcuffed, for the safety of the investigating officers, while the alleged victim and a witness were questioned about the reported incident, police said.

The victim reportedly said that an argument had developed between him and the alleged assailant. He further indicated that the intensity of the confrontation had escalated to the point where the suspect grabbed the victim’s neck, choking him, according to reports.

Police reportedly asked the victim if he was able to breath at that time and the victim said that he could not.

The victim stated that the suspect had let him go briefly, but began choking him once again, saying to the victim, “I could snap your neck right now,” police said.

The suspect, Richard Mahoney, 38, of Magnolia, reportedly let the victim go once again and then made his way to his pickup truck, according to reports.

Mahoney was arrested and charged with assault and battery and attempted murder.