By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Barton St. location last week on reports of a man that was trying to open a car door and had displayed a knife to the reporting party.

The suspect description fit the same from an earlier nearby call for a smashed windshield and it is believed that it is the same suspect for still another incident. The suspect was later identified as Pershing B. Reid III.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with the reporting party, who stated that she had arrived home in front of her Barton St. residence where she encountered Reid in the street, appearing to attempt to direct or guide her to park in particular spot.

The reporting party was confused by the erratic behavior of Reid, who is unknown to her. She attempted to park across the street instead, and that is when Reid approached her vehicle on the passenger side and attempted to open her car door that was locked.

The reporting party told police that she was alarmed and fearful of Reid and yelled for him to get away. He reportedly made demands for her to open the door and lower the window.

According to the reporting party, that is when Reid retrieved a folding pocket knife from his pocket and began to open it. The reporting party, fearing for her safety, drove off and called 911.

Reid was reportedly excitable and upon officers’ commands would not comply with keeping his hands out of his pockets. For officer safety, Reid was placed in handcuffs.

A search of Reid’s pockets produced the folding pocket knife that was tagged into evidence. Reid made numerous verbal threats toward officers and at one point began to kick at officers.

Reid was transported to the Somerville Police Department and booked on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon.