Man faces charges after apparently attacking Rhode Island talk show host with lawn mower

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Warwick police said a man is in custody and facing “various” charges after an apparent attack on a Rhode Island radio talk show host John DePetro.

Warwick Police Chief Brad Connor said officers went to a home at 29 Staples Ave. for a reported disturbance.

Connor said Mark Perkins was taken into custody by officers.

Police have since confirmed Perkins has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, first degree robbery, malicious damage to property and disorderly conduct.

He is expected to be in arraigned Thursday morning at the Kent County Courthouse.

Connor referred to a video regarding the disturbance on Facebook from DePetro.

In the video, a man in a ski mask is seen coming towards DePetro with a running lawn mower, ultimately pushing towards DePetro before the video cuts out.

DePetro told ABC 6 News that Perkins also punched and kicked him, along with threatening to kill him.

“Tonight (Wednesday) while doing a follow up on the Charlotte Lester missing person case I was violently attacked by Mark Perkins with a lawn mower, and punched and kicked me to the ground on Staples Avenue,” said DePetro in a statement.

“He smashed my equipment and threatened to kill me. I am cooperating fully with Warwick police,” concluded DePetro.

DePetro later added he went to the hospital to seek medical treatment.

The apparent attack comes one day after DePetro was arrested outside the same home on a trespassing charge.

DePetro was outside the home both Tuesday and Wednesday night covering a story into the disappearance of Charlotte Lester.

The home where the incidents took place the last two night was being investigated by police for several weeks back in May after police said Lester would frequent that home.