Transit Police report arresting a man on a commuter-rail train bound for last night's festivities in Salem after, they say, he escalated from threatening other riders to fist fights to pulling out a knife when one rider asked him to knock it off.

Officers met the train at Salem station shortly after 6:45 p.m. and arrested Christopher Leclerc, 25, of Salem, on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon - the knife police say officers found in his pocket. Police say they also charged him with possession of class E drugs - which they say officers also found in his pocket, in a prescription bottle with somebody else's name on it.

Police described what happened as the train hurtled towards the Witch City:

Witnesses stated Leclerc was intimidating passengers, challenging people to fist fights, consuming alcohol and invading others personal space in an aggressive manner. A male passenger requested Leclerc cease bothering passengers and to calm down. Leclerc responded by producing a knife. taking a fighting position and threatening harm to the victim.

Innocent, etc.