The following information comes from the Arlington Police Department. When arrests are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Man with Hammer Allegedly Chases Kids into Gold's Gym

A 59-year-old Arlington man with a hammer allegedly chased two kids into Gold’s Gym Thursday afternoon after they threw a “bomb bag” near him.

The man, John Luongo, was arrested by Arlington Police for assault with a dangerous weapon shortly after the incident. Police were also planning to file a complaint against one of the kids for assault with a dangerous weapon.

Police responded to the area at about 4:23 p.m. Thursday, after two motorists told a Winchester Police officer, who was directing traffic at the six-way intersection nearby, that they saw a man with a hammer chasing two kids.

When Arlington Police arrived, the Winchester officer was talking with the suspect.

Luongo told police that he was hammering a flag into the ground at the corner of the Gold’s Gym parking lot when the two young males threw a “bomb bag” at him.

He said he was startled and upset, and chased the kids into Gold Gym’s, where he yelled at them. He said he did not realize that he still had the hammer in his hands, and he said that he never attempted to use it in a threatening manner. He said he believed the kids intentionally threw the “bomb bag” at him.

One of the victims then told police that he had purchased two “bomb bags” at a nearby convenience store that afternoon. He said he had squeezed one of the “bomb bags” to activate it and then threw it. He said the wind caught it, and it then exploded about 20 feet from Luongo.

He said Luongo started chasing him and his friend while waving the hammer. He said they ran into Gold’s Gym for safety, and that’s when witnesses intervened. The other kid gave police a similar account.

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Notable Incidents from Tuesday to Thursday, July 17-19

Thursday, July 19

4:23 p.m., Gold’s Gym, Park Avenue, Assault with a dangerous weapon

1:58 p.m., Brattle Street, Larceny over $250

1:29 p.m., Claremont Avenue, Threats

10:30 a.m., Maple Street, Lewd, wanton and lascivious conduct

Wednesday, July 18

3:25 p.m., Pleasant Street, Larceny under $250

11:57 a.m., Acton Street, Larceny under $250

10:04 a.m., Foster Street, Malicious destruction of property over $250

Tuesday, July 17

3:29 p.m., Crescent Hill Avenue, Malicious destruction to a motor vehicle

1:28 p.m., Palmer and Warren streets, Arrest, fugitive from justice on a court warrant

10:26 a.m., Massachusetts Avenue, Injury on town property

9:58 a.m., Mystic and Ridge streets, Outside fire