NORTHAMPTON - Police say they plan to charge with assault a 59-year-old South Hadley man who allegedly threatened a passerby with a BB gun Tuesday evening.

The incident was reported about 6:10 p.m. in Pulaski Park on Main Street. Police said the suspect asked a 27-year-old Northampton man for money, then pointed the BB gun when he refused to give any.

Moments later officers converged on King Street, briefly handcuffing a man who they said fit the suspect description and searching through shrubs for the weapon. Officers determined the man was not the suspect and released him.

Police said the true suspect was found shortly after on Main Street, but not arrested.

The alleged victim at first was uncooperative, police said. But later Tuesday night he returned to the police station and asked to press charges, police said.

It was unclear whether police would seek an arrest warrant or a court summons for the suspect.