Police: Man Pulled Knife in Argument on West Newton Street, Had Drugs on Him

The following information was supplied by the Boston Police Department. Charges listed do not indicate convictions. 

An argument lead to an altercation involving a knife in the South End on Monday, resulting in two arrests on assault and drug charges.

Boston Police responded to a report of a person with a knife near 63 West Newton Street at about 12:26 p.m. on Monday, August 6.

The caller told police that a man tried to walk out the apartment building when he encountered the suspect, who held out a knife and said, “You’re not coming down the stairs.”  

Officers talked to the victim, who said that he had been in an argument over past issues with the suspect. Officers searched the victim and found a black folding knife on him, which he claimed her used for work, but could not explain what he did or why he had it. Officers took the knife in for safe keeping.

Police spoke to the suspect, who said that he and the victim were in an argument and that he never pulled a knife. Police conducted a pat and frisk and found a black Smith and Wesson Gold sealed folding knife from his right pocket. Officers placed Charles Young under arrest and charged him with assault by means of a dangerous weapon.

While placing the suspect into the transport wagon, Yvette Ruiz, Young’s girlfriend came out onto the street and began screaming at the crowd around them. According to police, she began pointing at the caller in a threatening manner and shouting. Officers placed Ruiz of 29 San Juan Street, Boston under arrest for disturbing the peace and intimidating a witness.

While booking the suspect, officers noticed something in his mouth and opened the cell door. Officers demanded that the suspect open his mouth, but he refused. Officers applied pressure to the suspect’s jaw, causing him to throw up 13 small plastic bags of crack cocaine. Young was charged with possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute.