NORWICH – The Norwich Police Department has arrested two people in connection with an altercation that led to several people receiving stab and slash wounds Saturday night. At approximately 10:30 p.m., police were called to a disturbance on North Broad Street near the Broad Street Tavern. Officers on the scene encountered more than one person with lacerations and profuse bleeding. Witnesses described two men who fled the area.

Responding Norwich officers quickly located the two subjects on Mechanic Street, a short distance from the scene where they were arrested. Also recovered near the scene of the arrest was a knife believed to be the weapon used in the assault.

At the scene, Norwich Police took one victim to Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich Fire Department ambulances took two patients and a fourth patient arrived at the emergency room by his own means. Additionally, one of the arrested men was also treated by Fire Department paramedics for an arm laceration.

Norwich Police were assisted by Chenango County Sheriff’s deputies and New York State troopers.

Arrested and held in the City jail are:

• Bernie J. Infante, 33, last known address of County Rte 8 McDonough. Infante has been charged with second degree criminal nuisance, a misdemeanor.

• Jose A. Otero, 24, of 6 South State St., Norwich. Otero has been charged with three counts of first degree assault, one count of second degree assault, third degree criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence. All are felonies.

Police declined to identify the victims, but said they were all male, local residents between the ages of 24 and 41 years. The victims were initially treated at Chenango Memorial Hospital. All required sutures, one required surgery in Norwich and another was transferred to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for further treatment.

“Norwich police officers acted quickly and decisively in their life saving actions and the apprehension,” said Police Chief Joseph Angelino.