A gang member allegedly tried to stab a referee and several players — instead hitting one in the face with a rock — after a Villegas Park soccer game turned into a fight on Tuesday night.

According to the Riverside Police Department, the victims had been playing soccer at thepark when the suspect reportedly tried to stab the ref and players, eventually slashing a tire. The suspect then fought with another player over the knife, picking up a rock and hitting the man in the face.

A police helicopter was first on the scene just after 10 p.m. in the 7200 block of Marguerita Avenue; it followed the suspects to a home at Marguerita and Juanita Street, where they hopped a fence.

A gang-unit officer responding to the scene noticed a car leaving the home and detained the occupants.  Victims identified one as the attacker; the other two had allegedly brought pit bulls out of the house to hold the soccer players at bay.

Police said the three were gang members and are continuing to investigate.

– posted at 12:41 p.m. by Cathy Maestri