Juvenile behavior leads to four arrests
By George P. Hassett

   A Somerville police officer was assaulted by four juveniles in Winter Hill Friday night.
Police said Officer Marcos Freitas approached four male juveniles about a noise disturbance they were causing in front of 457 Medford St. and, after identifying himself as a police officer, was allegedly struck from the side by one of the juveniles.
   Freitas then fell to the ground, striking his head on the concrete, and was repeatedly hit in the face by the other juveniles, aged 14 to 16, causing cuts and scrapes, said police.

  The four assailants then fled east on Medford St. through the Winter Hill School area and onto Dartmouth St. By this time, several officers were in pursuit, and finally caught up to the youths in the backyard at 33 Dartmouth St.
  But the kid versus cop confrontations were not yet over.
  While attempting to handcuff a 14 year old juvenile, a brief struggle allegedly ensued and the officer and the juvenile fell to the ground, causing a scrape to the juvenile‚Äôs forehead and a tear to the officer‚Äôs pants.
   While being handcuffed, the juvenile who allegedly first struck Freitas from the side made a spontaneous statement, said police.
   ‚ÄúI punched the guy because he was gonna hit my friend,‚Äù the youth allegedly said.
All four suspects were transported to the station and eventually released to their parents.