By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to a Broadway apartment last week on reports of a fight.

Upon arrival, the officers located James MacNeil, of Waltham, in the lobby preparing to leave the building.

The officers asked MacNeil what apartment he was coming from he was reportedly unable to give a clear answer. He stated that he was just over at a friend’s place.

The officers detained MacNeil while they went upstairs to check the scene. An injured individual was located and MacNeil was asked to come up to the third floor.

The victim had sustained injuries to his head and face, and had significant amount of blood on him. Somerville Fire and EMS personnel responded and treated the victim, who was then transported to Somerville Hospital.

Another individual involved in the incident told the officers that MacNeil had assaulted him with his fists and a set of brass knuckles.

MacNeil was pat frisked and a hard object was felt. MacNeil was asked what it was and he did not reply. The officers retrieved a set of brass knuckles with what appeared to be dried blood on them, the victim’s ID, a headphones zipper pouch, one butterfly folding knife, and one rolled up and dollar bill held by tape.

The other involved individual stated that it was MacNeil who had assaulted him with closed fist punches and with the brass knuckles.

The victim was in a state of shock and could not give a detailed account of what had occurred.

Both MacNeil and the other man denied the assault and blamed each other.

Another search of MacNeil was conducted and within the headphones zipper pouch the officers discovered a clear baggy with a white rock-like substance believed to be cocaine, along with seven small yellow baggies.

MacNeil was placed under arrest on charges of possession of a class B drug, violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Police took the victim’s statement, recovered a bloody T-Shirt from the hallway, and photographed the blood smears on the outside of the apartment.