Norwich – Police said an alert officer Friday morning prevented a dispute between two males from escalating after the officer arrested one of the men and discovered he was carrying a large kitchen knife which the man allegedly intended to use in the fight.

Chad Gauthier, 19, of 29 Sullivan Drive, was charged Friday with carrying a dangerous weapon, second-degree attempted assault and second-degree breach of peace.

Police said while on patrol on West Town Street around 11:42 a.m., Officer Damien Martin saw Gauthier and another man in a dispute. Martin stopped to investigate, police said, and learned Gauthier had gone to the workplace of the other man over an alleged incident involving a family member. Martin learned Gauthier planned to do “serious harm” to the other man and located the large kitchen knife, which Gauthier allegedly carried.

Gauthier is held on $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Monday in Norwich Superior Court.