A Lynn man accused of kicking down a door on First Street Tuesday night while armed with a hammer is now facing assault and breaking and entering charges.

At 9:46 p.m., Salem police responded to a report of a man kicking down a door at an apartment building on First Street. Dennis S. Ventura, 25, of 46 Wyman St., Lynn, was arrested on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon (hammer) malicious destruction of property valued above $250 (door, door frame) and breaking and entering a building during the nighttime to commit a felony.

Tuesday night's incident reportedly stemmed from an online dispute and involved two separate altercations between Ventura and the alleged victim, Lt. Mary Butler said.

When Ventura arrived on First Street to confront a woman about defamatory postings on the internet, the alleged victim sprayed him with pepper spray, Butler said.

Soon after, Ventura returned to the apartment building armed with a hammer and kicked in the alleged victim's front door, Butler said. After taking a couple of steps into the apartment, Butler said Ventura fled the scene and was later found by police near the front of the building.

The victim will reportedly be summonsed to court on a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (pepper spray) and possessing a chemical spray without an FID card.

Salem Patch will post additional information as it becomes available.