Arlington Man Threatened To 'Cut' Kids During Dispute: Police

ARLINGTON, MA — An Arlington man was arrested after threatening a group of children who he claimed was harassing him, police said. Officers responded to Menotomy Manor shortly after 8 p.m. and found 23-year-old Mohammad Hossain sitting at a picnic table with "several" liquor bottles around him, police said.

Police were responding to a report of a drunken man threatening children with a pocket knife. Hossain told officers he had a pocket knife on him, but they were unable to locate one during a search of his clothing, according to the police report.

Hossain said a group of children was screaming at him and calling him names. Two other witnesses largely agreed with his account, saying the children were "out of control." Witnesses said Hossain got more angry during the interaction, telling one kid he would "[expletive] cut you" and tying the sleeves of her hoodie in a knot in front of her, according to the police report.

The children were "uncomfortable by the interaction," and some were crying when police arrived, the report stated. At one point prior to officers' arrival, Hossain ran into a nearby home, witnesses told police. A bystander said he went in to get his backpack, while another witness told police he was chasing one of the kids through the house, according to the report.

Hossain was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and trespassing. A witness told officers the children were lying and nothing happened, while the 911 calls indicated that Hossain was "taking things too seriously and becoming pretty upset," police said.

Police said to call them in the future if anyone was having trouble with children and to not engage the group in an argument.

Hossain was held on $10,040 bail.